According to a 2004 article by Associated Press author Jeff Douglas, the Rev. Henry David Jardine led St. Mary's Episcopal Church from 1879 through 1886, until he was accused of misusing parish funds, drug use, and immoral behavior with young church girls. After losing a libel suit against the editor of
The Kansas City Times, Jardine went to St. Louis, had his priesthood revoked and was later found dead with a crucifix and a chloroform-soaked rag in his hands. An accident? He's rumored to haunt St. Mary's Episcopal Church (1307 Holmes), where his remains rest by the organ under the church's high altar. Find out if you can hear Jardine knocking around during a
haunted historic tour of the church with the Historic Kansas City Foundation. Running from 2 until 3:30 p.m., the tour is free and open to the public. For more information, call 816-931-8448 or see
historickansascity.org.
— Jenna Jakowatz
816-842-0975
