Valley of New Castle Finds Non-Traditional Way to Raise Funds

For the last 20 years or so, stories have been circulating among Freemasons and the general public that the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle is haunted. From sightings of apparitions to disembodied voices, Brothers from the Valley of New Castle decided to hold a public “ghost night” at the Cathedral to help raise money for the Western Pennsylvania Children’s Dyslexia Center (CDC), which is also housed within the building. The spooky evening, which went well into the morning, surpassed their expectations – raising over $6,000 for the local Center.

The Scottish Rite Cathedral, located at 110 E. Lincoln Ave in New Castle, Pennsylvania, has many reports of possible paranormal activity, from Scottish Rite Brothers to volunteers, and the public at large. From unexplained whistling and voices to phantom smells of cigar smoke and cold spots, the accounts of strange occurrences are enough to fill a whole night of storytelling around a campfire. 

Scottish Rite Brothers came up with the idea of the guided ghost tours as a unique fundraiser to introduce the public to the 100-year-old building and show people the areas where first-hand reports of paranormal activity have been experienced throughout the years. 

“We were kind of flying by the seats of our pants, hoping to have 100 people show up,” said Brother John McCormick, 32°, Deputy Master for New Castle’s Lodge of Perfection. The summertime event, which took place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., ended up bringing in more than 400 paranormal enthusiasts and history buffs. 

The event served as a combined Masonic family affair, with the Rainbow Girls manning the concession stand, Blue Lodge Brothers opening up their lodge to the public for the first time, and Cathedral Foundation and CDC volunteers all lending a helping hand. 

“It was a bit of a hurdle. But we need to think outside of the box. It was a big learning experience for everyone,” Brother McCormick said. 

For some, the event opened their eyes to more than a successful fundraiser. McCormick said several Brothers are convinced that the spirit of a past Secretary still visits, as witnesses saw a ghost standing by the Secretary’s desk in the West Lodge Room on June 25th. There are also reports of a male apparition wearing a top hat, so it could be a past Master. The stories from Valley members alone are abundant. 

McCormick reported that during the ghost night, one group had a “little talk box” in the Blue Lodge that kept saying ‘Leave. You don’t belong here. Get out.’” The talk box, also known as a SB7 spirit box, sweeps through AM and FM radio frequencies forward or backward. The theory is that spirits use the radio and white noise to communicate. 

In an interview with New Castle News, Rob Cummings, 33°, who also is on the board of directors for the CDC, reported seeing the ghost of what they think is a little boy running across the first balcony.  A past custodian also witnessed the spirit run through a wall. Several years ago, an elevator inspector was hired to raise the lift to inspect the hydraulic shaft. Knowing about the ghost of the little boy, he left Matchbox cars and trucks underneath it for him. No one else had access to that area. Lo and behold, the toys would be gone the next month when the inspector returned, said Cummings. 

“He did that for several months and made a project out of it,” he added. “We never found the toys. Wherever they went, we’ve never found them, but they were never put back.” 

As the supernatural evening winded down around 4 a.m. the next morning, Illustrious Bro. Cummings and James McKim, 32°, MSA, started to lock up all the doors and turn off the lights. 

In an interview with New Castle News following the event, Brother McKim said:

“We were cleaning up the concession stand and Rob said he was going to the kitchen to get a cart. I was in the lobby alone and I heard a man’s voice.” He couldn’t discern what the man was saying, but added, “It was so spooky. It was four syllables, a short pause, two more syllables and would repeat that,” he said. “I thought someone left a radio here or someone was still in the building or one of those ghost machines was around.”

When Rob returned, he stopped to listen and he heard it too, McKim said. “We both got a little creeped out.” Searching upstairs, downstairs and in the auditorium, they say the sound continued for about 15 minutes. 

“It was a calm voice. It was the same volume no matter what room we were in, which was really odd,” McKim said. Finally, when they went to the mezzanine and the two were discussing what to do, the voice stopped.  

McKim, who spent almost 12 years as a consultant, Foundation board member and Cathedral volunteer said, “That’s the most haunted I’ve ever felt during my whole time there.” 

With the overwhelming success of the first Ghost Night, the Valley of New Castle plans to hold a second one on January 24th. Check the Events section of their website at www.cathedralnewcastle.com for further details.