Bruce Miller, who graduated from Kent State in 1979 with a bachelor of science in conservation of natural resources, claims the ghost of a former pastor turns on lights and opens and closes doors and windows. David Ranucci | Summer Kent Stater

Credit: DKS Editors

There may be a ghost inhabiting the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent on Gougler Avenue, and it’s not the Holy Spirit.

According to church member and secretary Judy Brannan, the spirit is most likely that of the Rev. Abbie Danforth, the first woman pastor of the church.

“Our previous minister was sitting in the lobby one night,” Brannan said, “and she swears she saw somebody wearing a long, dark dress as she checked to see what the noise was.”

Brannan said Abbie is known for turning lights on, opening windows and sometimes humming and whistling.

Despite the volume of stories told by visitors and parishioners alike, Brannan remains skeptical.

“There are a lot of squeaks and creaks and rooms nobody knows about in the building,” she said.

Abbie is said to be the church’s guardian.

“Some people say she’s watching over the church and making sure we’re not messing things up,” Brannan said.

Contact general assignment reporter Tim Jacobs at [email protected].