The Old Presbyterian Meeting House

Posted: 06.16.2025 | Updated: 06.16.2025

The Old Presbyterian Meeting House stands proudly at 321 South Fairfax Street in Old Town Alexandria. Its brick walls and classic steeple are steeped in history and mystery.

Built in 1775 and rebuilt after a fire in 1836, the church has witnessed centuries of change. Its graveyard is the final resting place for many early Alexandrians.

The Meeting House is a designated site listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It continues to operate as an active religious site as well as a community meeting place.

While the Meeting House appears tranquil, many believe the Meeting House and the surrounding grounds are haunted. Ghost tours and local lore provide an ongoing history of its paranormal legacy.

If you’re interested in haunted churches or ghost tours in Alexandria, consider joining an Alexandria Ghosts ghost tour.

Is the Old Presbyterian Meeting House Haunted? 

Many believe the Old Presbyterian Meeting House is haunted by spirits from its long past. Guests and tour guides have reported strange occurrences in and around the church.

The most famous legends involve restless souls in the graveyard and mysterious presences inside. Some visitors feel watched or hear unexplained whispers during quiet moments.

Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, the Meeting House’s haunted reputation is well-known. The stories have become part of Alexandria’s local folklore.

History of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House

The Old Presbyterian Meeting House was originally constructed in 1775 in the Early Republic style. It was largely destroyed by fire in 1835 and rebuilt the following year.

A bell tower was added in 1843, and granite entrance stairs in 1853. The church’s exterior has changed little since then.

Scottish Presbyterians were among the earliest European settlers in Northern Virginia. They played a key role in establishing Alexandria as a thriving port.

The congregation first worshiped publicly in the city in the 1760s. Their first installed minister arrived in 1772, just before the church was built.

Alexandrians have gathered at the Meeting House for public worship for centuries. George Washington attended services here, including a national day of prayer in 1798.

Memorial services for George Washington were held in this sanctuary in 1799. The church bell tolled for four days between his death and burial.

The Meeting House remained open for worship throughout the Civil War. Afterward, the congregation dwindled, and the church closed in 1899.

For the next half-century, it served as both a museum and a place of worship. In 1949, a new congregation took the name “Old Presbyterian Meeting House.”

Music has been part of the Meeting House’s heritage from its earliest days. The church hosted public concerts for more than two centuries.

Its first pipe organ, installed in 1817, was the first in a Presbyterian church in the U.S. That organ was destroyed in the 1835 fire.

The current pipe organs date from 1849 and 1997. The church continues to be a center for music and community events.

The Hauntings at Old Presbyterian Meeting House

The Old Presbyterian Meeting House is considered one of Alexandria’s most haunted sites. Its graveyard, in particular, is famous for ghostly activity.

Visitors and tour guides report cold spots, shadowy figures, and unexplained noises. Some claim to hear whispers or footsteps when no one is present.

Ghost tours regularly stop outside the Meeting House to share chilling stories. The silent graveyard is said to be anything but quiet at night.

Many believe the spirits are former parishioners or soldiers who never left. Others think they are simply restless souls drawn to the historic site.

The church’s haunted reputation continues to grow with each new visitor. Every year, more stories are added to its legend.

The Restless Souls of the Graveyard

The graveyard beside the Old Presbyterian Meeting House is the focus of many ghost stories. Visitors report seeing shadowy figures moving among the tombstones at night.

Some claim to hear whispers or the sound of footsteps behind them. Others feel sudden chills or a sense of being watched.

Ghost tours often recount tales of spirits who linger near their graves. Some believe these are former parishioners who loved the church in life.

Others think they are soldiers or victims of tragedy from Alexandria’s past. Their presence is strongest during late-night tours and quiet evenings.

The Mysterious Presence Inside the Church

Guests have experienced ghostly events inside the Meeting House during the services and events held there. Some have seen shadows or streaks of things or heard unexplained sounds.

Some have felt a tickle or a drop in temperature. Many believe the phenomena are simply the presence of the spirits of past ministers or choir members.

The church has a long musical history that may have some influence on these sightings. There is a common belief that the ghosts of former organists or singers have taken residence in the building.

For the volunteers who lead tours of the church, sharing stories of the Meeting House is a popular pastime, and the most prevalent view is that it is haunted. It makes the building less ordinary and provides an element of mystery.

The Unseen Watcher: The Protective Energy

Many guests and staff report feeling watched during quiet moments in the Meeting House. Some have seen fleeting shadows or heard footsteps in empty rooms.

These spirits are believed to be former parishioners or church leaders who loved the place. Their presence is strongest in the early morning or late evening.

Some describe sudden feelings of warmth or comfort, as if being looked after. Others sense an invisible presence guiding them through the church.

Ghost hunters using EMF detectors and spirit boxes have picked up strange readings. Voices and laughter are sometimes heard when no one is around.

Local lore suggests these spirits are protective, watching over the church and its guests. Some believe they try to keep the peaceful atmosphere alive.

Others think they are simply enjoying the memories of their favorite place. Their presence adds to the Meeting House’s unique charm and mystique.

The Legend of Abner Baker

While Abner Baker is best known as a ghost associated with a Presbyterian church in Knoxville, his legend is sometimes mentioned in discussions of haunted churches. 

Baker was a former Confederate soldier hanged by a mob in 1865 after murdering a Union veteran.

His ghost is said to haunt the graveyard where he is buried, but this legend is not directly tied to the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria. However, similar stories of restless spirits and tragic figures are common in historic churchyards.

The legend of Abner Baker serves as a reminder of the many spirits said to linger in old cemeteries. His story contributes to the larger narrative of haunted Presbyterian churches. 

In Alexandria, the Meeting House’s own graveyard has many unmarked graves and even more untold tales. People are generally both reverent and uncomfortable when they are in the vicinity of the tombstones.

Haunted Alexandria

The Old Presbyterian Meeting House is just one of many haunted places in Alexandria. The city is rich in history and ghostly legends.

Other notable sites include Gadsby’s Tavern, the Basilica of St. Mary, and the Wilkes Tunnel. Each location has its own chilling stories to tell.

If you would like to learn more about haunted places in Alexandria, you might want to look into an Alexandria Ghosts ghost tour, where you can learn the stories, legends, and mysteries behind the historic city. 

Alexandria’s haunted reputation is deserved, with tales of ghostly encounters that have been passed down through the generations. The city’s history is significant. But you can still feel that history in its haunted landscape.

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Sources:

1. https://thezebra.org/2022/06/06/community-abounds-at-a-church-older-than-america/
2. https://www.knoxcountylibrary.org/library-news/adolph-ochs-and-first-presbyterian-haunting
3. https://www.alexandriava.gov/recreation/parks/cemeteries
4. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6602967/abner-baker