‘Hell House’ St. Mary’s College, nestled in the heart of Ellicott City, Maryland, is an imposing structure with a rich history and a haunting reputation.
Known locally as “Hell House,” this institution has sparked intrigue and speculation among residents and visitors alike.
Join us to explore the mysterious tales surrounding St. Mary’s College and unravel the secrets that have given rise to its ominous nickname.
The Origins of St. Mary’s College
Established in the mid-19th century, St. Mary’s College has a storied history that intertwines with the development of Ellicott City itself.
Originally founded as a Catholic seminary, the institution played a crucial role in the education and spiritual guidance of young men aspiring to join the clergy.
The Transformation
St. Mary’s College underwent various transformations as the decades passed, adapting to the changing educational landscape.
Eventually, the seminary evolved into a liberal arts college, welcoming students seeking a well-rounded education in a picturesque setting. However, with time, the college would become synonymous with an eerie reputation that would only intensify over the years.
The Haunting Stories
Numerous tales have emerged over the years, casting a shadow over the once-serene halls of St. Mary’s College.
Whispers of ghostly apparitions, mysterious sounds, and unexplained phenomena have fueled the belief that the institution is haunted.
Some claim to have encountered spectral figures in clerical garb, while others report inexplicable cold spots and feelings of unease.
One of the most famous legends involves the ghost of a former student who allegedly committed suicide within the college walls.
According to local lore, the spirit of this troubled soul roams the campus, manifesting its presence through eerie noises and ghostly apparitions.
Related: Kim’s Krypt Haunted Mill
The Paranormal Investigations
The reputation of Hell House has attracted paranormal investigators and enthusiasts from across the country.
Many have embarked on nighttime expeditions to capture evidence of the supernatural occurrences that plague the college.
While some claim to have recorded strange sounds and anomalous readings, skeptics argue that these experiences may be attributed to natural factors or psychological influences.
Preservation Efforts and Historical Significance
Despite its haunted reputation, St. Mary’s College is a valuable historical landmark in Ellicott City. Efforts have been made to preserve the architectural and cultural significance of the institution.
Renovations and adaptive reuse projects aim to maintain the beauty of the campus while honoring its past.
Ellicott City, Maryland
Ellicott City, the seat of Howard County, began its life as a mill town before the American Revolution. Quaker brothers Joseph, Andrew, and John Ellicott built their first mill in 1772.
The Patapsco Valley and River gave the brothers the fertile land and power to make the finest wheat flour. As the town was first known, Ellicott Mills grew steadily, becoming home to mill workers and merchants.
Maryland founding families such as the Carrolls, Dorseys, and Warfields kept their family fortunes in Ellicott City because of the brothers’ agricultural expertise. Thus, a town rich in history, tradition, and architectural gems was born.
Highlighted in Images of America: Ellicott City are many long-gone local landmarks, including the Patapsco Female Institute and Rock Hill and St. Charles Colleges. Featured as well are the monuments to bygone days that have endured time, progress, floods, and fires and are still standing today.
Gordan did an episode of 24 Hours To Hell and back in Ellicott City. You can see it here.
Hell House Hauntings
While the haunting stories surrounding Hell House, also known as St. Mary’s College in Ellicott City, Maryland, are largely anecdotal and lack concrete evidence, local legends have given rise to a series of eerie tales passed down through generations.
Here are a few more haunting stories associated with St. Mary’s College:
- The Phantom Organist: One of the most chilling tales involves the ghostly presence of a phantom organist. According to local lore, the sound of an organ playing echoes through the empty halls of the college late at night. Some claim to have witnessed shadowy figures near the chapel’s organ, even though the room is supposedly vacant. The spectral music is said to be hauntingly beautiful, adding an extra layer of mystery to the ghostly occurrences.
- The Cursed Portrait: In the main building of St. Mary’s College, there is said to be a cursed portrait that is believed to harbor supernatural energy. Legend has it that the eyes of the subject in the painting follow visitors as they move through the room. Some claim to have experienced a sense of dread and unease when in the portrait’s presence, leading to speculation that it may be a focal point for paranormal activity within the college.
- The Lady in White: A classic ghostly archetype, the Lady in White is said to roam the grounds of St. Mary’s College. According to witnesses, a spectral woman dressed in a flowing white gown is spotted near the campus gardens or through the courtyards. Some versions of the story suggest that she may be the spirit of a former nun or a student, forever bound to the college in an ethereal form.
- The Unfinished Sermon: There are whispers of a phantom priest often seen in the chapel, seemingly delivering a sermon. Witnesses report hearing disembodied voices reciting prayers and preaching, only to find the chapel empty upon investigation. The ghostly cleric is said to vanish into thin air, leaving an atmosphere of spiritual unrest.
- The Mysterious Basement: St. Mary’s College is rumored to have a labyrinthine basement with hidden chambers and secret passages. Some brave souls who have ventured into this underground world claim to have encountered strange symbols, flickering lights, and unexplained drafts. The basement has become the focal point of many ghost stories, with tales of eerie whispers and ghostly apparitions haunting those who dare to explore its depths.
It’s important to note that these stories are part of local folklore, and their veracity is difficult to confirm. Whether rooted in actual paranormal activity or embellished over time, the haunting stories of Hell House contribute to the mystique surrounding St. Mary’s College in Ellicott City.
Related: Haunted Patterson Park: Spooky Story
Hell House: St Mary’s College
While thinking of another paranormal topic for Paranormal October, I remembered a tale of an old Seminary College located near Ellicott City, Maryland, called “Hell House.”
For over 100 years, St. Mary’s College was a religious preparatory school for young men entering the seminary. The school was founded in 1866, and its principal building was erected in 1868 in Ilchester, Maryland, just minutes from the quaint streets of historic Ellicott City.
The school was run by a Catholic religious order known as the Redemptorists. Over the years, the number of men entering the order dwindled, and the school was eventually forced to close its doors in 1972.
Once the College was abandoned, it became the target of curious adventurers and vandals. Along with his Rottweiler’s, a mean old caretaker lived on the property to keep trespassers away.
Being a massive fan of historic sites, I was dismayed to learn that the ruins of St. Mary’s College were demolished in 2006, and I never got a chance to visit it.
Many people confuse St. Mary’s College, which was for men, with Patapsco Female Institute, a finishing school for girls. The school was one of the first female institutes in the South when it officially opened in 1839.
1917, the school was turned into a 50-bed hospital for wounded soldiers from World War I. Today, the site is accessible as a historic park and has been partially restored for events, and it is also an active archaeological site.”
The Patapsco Female Institute is preserved and open for haunted ghost tours. Spooky tales about events transpired at Hell House and The Patapsco Female Institute.
Below are links to other sites with photos and stories of Hell House. Be sure to read the comments where applicable because there are some incredible personal stories there, too.
FYI: I don’t advise anyone to trespass on private property.
Conclusion: Hell House – St. Mary’s College – Ellicott City
Hell House, also known as St. Mary’s College, continues to captivate the imagination of those intrigued by the intersection of history, mystery, and the paranormal.
Whether one is a believer in the supernatural or a skeptic, the tales surrounding this Maryland institution persist, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the rich tapestry of Ellicott City’s past, as St. Mary’s College stands as a testament to time, its ghostly legends only deepen the enigma surrounding this iconic landmark.
Thanks for reading my “Hell House, St. Mary’s College ” article.
