Benedictine Hall, the original 1901 Romanesque Revival building at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois
Photo coming soon
Museum / Historical Site

Benedictine University

Haunted Campus & Seminary Cemetery in Lisle

5700 College Road, Lisle, IL 60532

Age

All Ages

Cost

Free

Free to visit campus grounds and cemetery during daytime hours

Access

Wheelchair OK

Paved walkways and grass areas

Equipment

Photos OK

Est. 1901 · Benedictine Heritage · Orphanage History · Monastic Cemetery

Benedictine University traces its roots to 1887, when Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey established an all-male institution on Chicago's West Side to educate men of Czech and Slovak descent. In 1901, the college relocated to Lisle, DuPage County, approximately 25 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, seeking a more spacious and rural setting. The new campus sprawled across 108 acres and was anchored by Benedictine Hall, dedicated in September 1901 and built in the Romanesque Revival style with limestone and brick construction.

Before the university occupied the land, the property housed St. Joseph's Bohemian Orphanage (1898-1956), a significant institutional presence in the area. During its operation, twenty-three orphans died and were buried on the grounds, their graves marked by small, identical headstones. The St. Procopius Abbey Cemetery, containing the remains of Benedictine monks and university founders, predates the orphanage and continues to serve as a burial ground for the monastic community.

The university underwent significant institutional evolution in the late 20th century. It became coeducational in 1968, adopted the name Illinois Benedictine College in 1971, and was officially renamed Benedictine University in 1996. The campus expanded across multiple locations, though the Lisle campus remained the primary residential and academic hub. As of the 2020s, Benedictine University operates as a private Catholic institution with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students.

Sources

  • https://ben.edu/about/history/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedictine_University
  • https://thecandor.wordpress.com/2019/10/16/benedictine-university-might-be-haunted-not-clickbait-real-story-people-died/

Plan Your Visit

2 ways to experience
Self-Guided Visit

Cemetery & Campus Self-Guided Walk

Explore the St. Procopius Abbey Cemetery and campus grounds where numerous paranormal reports have been documented. The cemetery contains graves of Benedictine monks and founders dating back to the 1900s. Campus buildings including Benedictine Hall, Neuzil Hall, Jaeger Hall, and Ondrak Hall have been sites of reported apparitions, unexplained sounds, and phantom phenomena over decades.

Duration:
1.5 hr
Drive-By

Exterior Building Observation

View the historic campus buildings from the road, particularly Benedictine Hall (1901), the oldest building on campus where an alleged exorcism took place on the fifth floor. Multiple residence halls across the 108-acre campus are reported to be centers of paranormal activity.

Duration:
30 min

Sources & Further Reading

Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.

  1. 1.ben.edu/about/history
  2. 2.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedictine_University
  3. 3.thecandor.wordpress.com/2019/10/16/benedictine-university-might-be-haunted-not-clickbait-real-story-people-died

Nearby Locations

Benedictine University campus buildings in Lisle, Illinois
Photo coming soon
Museum / Historical Site

Benidictine University

Lisle, IL

Benedictine University, founded in 1887 by Czech and Slovak monks, relocated to Lisle in 1901. The campus was built on the former site of St. Joseph's Bohemian Orphanage. The institution expanded through the 20th century and became coeducational in 1968.

$ All Ages Family: High
Brady Historic District, Roughly along E/W Cameron and E/W Archer, from N. Boulder to N. Detroit Tulsa
Theater / Performance Venue

Brady Theatre

Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Theater, formerly known as Brady Theater, is a historic performing arts venue completed in 1914. Designed by the architectural firm Rose and Peterson, the building served as a municipal auditorium and convention hall. It was renamed Tulsa Theater in 2019 after the previous namesake, W. Tate Brady, was revealed to have Ku Klux Klan affiliations.

$$ All Ages Family: High

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Benedictine University family-friendly?
A daytime visit to the campus is family-friendly and educational. The historical context involves deaths at a former orphanage and monastery, which parents may want to discuss with older children. No graphic displays or intentionally frightening elements. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit Benedictine University?
Free to visit campus grounds and cemetery during daytime hours This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Benedictine University wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Benedictine University is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Paved walkways and grass areas.