Self-Guided Visit
Daytime cemetery walk
Self-guided daytime visit to a pioneer Methodist cemetery dating to the 1830s-1840s, with a pavilion on the footprint of the original chapel.
- Duration:
- 30 min
Photo coming soon
Cemetery / Burial Ground
Posey Chapel Cemetery
A pioneer Methodist burial ground in rural Galena Township, LaPorte County, where the 1841 chapel burned in the 1970s and visitors now report a singing woman, drifting orbs, and red lights around the memorial pavilion.
3905 E 1000 N, La Porte, IN 46352
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Free to visit during daylight hours; it is an active rural cemetery.
Access
Limited Access
Grass and gravel on a low hill; uneven ground around older sections.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1841 · Pioneer-era Methodist chapel site (1841) in LaPorte County · Rural burial ground with several hundred interments including military veterans · Documented in a 1933 centennial history of the congregation
Posey Chapel traces its roots to the early settlement of Galena Township and the Door Village area of LaPorte County, Indiana, in the 1830s. Local Methodist families organized a congregation there, and a frame chapel was built atop a low hill in 1841. The chapel took its name from the Posey family connected with the early community, and it became one of the older religious landmarks in this corner of the county.
The burial ground beside the chapel grew alongside the congregation. Genealogical surveys record several hundred interments, including a number of military veterans, with stones spanning from the pioneer era into the twentieth century. For well over 175 years, area families used the grounds to bury their dead, making it one of the longer-running rural cemeteries in the township.
The original 1841 chapel building stood on the hilltop into the 1970s, when it was destroyed by fire. Rather than rebuild the church, the community eventually erected an open memorial pavilion on the footprint where the chapel once stood. The cemetery itself remains active and is described by local genealogical groups as well maintained.
A centennial history, 'A Century with Posey Chapel, 1833 to 1933,' documents the congregation's first hundred years, and the cemetery's records are preserved through county genealogical archives, Find a Grave, and BillionGraves. The site sits in a quiet rural stretch northeast of the city of La Porte, surrounded by farmland and woodlots.
Sources
- http://ingenweb.org/inlaporte/Worship/Posey/PoseyHistory2.htm
- https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1791277/posey-chapel-cemetery
- http://ingenweb.org/inlaporte/cemeteries/Posey.htm
Sound of a woman singing, sometimes with an acoustic guitarDrifting orbs and disembodied voicesRed lights or 'red eyes' moving in the surrounding woodsReported 'lady in white' apparition
Although it is unclear exactly why Posey Chapel was singled out, the cemetery has carried a reputation as a haunted site for decades and has been investigated by paranormal groups such as the Ghost Research Society. According to accounts collected by local paranormal sources, the most frequently reported phenomenon is the sound of a woman singing, sometimes described as accompanied by an acoustic guitar, heard around the pavilion that stands where the chapel once burned.
Other visitors describe drifting orbs, disembodied voices, and a pair of red glowing 'eyes' or red lights that appear to move among the trees bordering the cemetery, according to indianahauntedhouses.com and a Ghost Research Society investigation writeup. Some accounts add a 'lady in white' said to linger near the grounds. As is common with rural cemetery lore, several origin stories circulate, including a claim that a preacher hanged himself near the gate, but these origin tales are uncorroborated by the chapel's documented history and should be treated as folklore.
The cemetery's paranormal reputation is well-established enough that it has been featured in regional 'haunted Indiana' coverage, including a La Porte Herald-Dispatch article noting its inclusion in a published book on haunted Indiana cemeteries. None of the reported phenomena have been verified, and the site is foremost an active, respectfully maintained burial ground.
Notable Entities
The Singing WomanLady in White
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Posey Chapel Cemetery family-friendly?
A quiet historic cemetery suitable for daytime visits. No graphic content; the folklore is atmospheric rather than violent. Uneven ground and an active burial ground call for respectful, careful footing. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit Posey Chapel Cemetery?
Free to visit during daylight hours; it is an active rural cemetery. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Posey Chapel Cemetery wheelchair accessible?
Posey Chapel Cemetery has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Grass and gravel on a low hill; uneven ground around older sections..