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The Restless Spirit of Alice Hackney

St Mary at Hill church, EC3, London Apparition Victorian

St Mary at Hill church on Lower Thames Street seems an unassuming place, its stone facade bearing testament to centuries of London's turbulent history. Yet within its ancient walls, a most poignant and intriguing haunting has been reported. Alice Hackney's spirit is said to roam the church and its environs, searching for the spot where she once lay with her husband. Her body was moved during restoration work in the late nineteenth century, and it seems this disturbance has left her spirit restless.

Historical records confirm that Alice Hackney's body was reburied away from its original location during the church's restoration. This event appears to have triggered her haunting. More recently, a witness reported walking through the alleyway connecting Lovat Lane to St Mary at Hill and noticing the air thick with cigarette smoke, accompanied by the sound of a cough - despite being alone. This apparitional presence has been characterised as a visual and audio manifestation, with witnesses describing the sight of Alice moving around the church.

Historical Context

The church dates back to the 12th century, with significant restoration work in the 19th century.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Church
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Unknown
Postcode Area
EC3M

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