First Methodist Protestant Church parsonage — Seattle's poltergeist house

The parsonage of the First Methodist Protestant Church of Seattle, located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, has a documented history of poltergeist-like activity that drew attention in the early 20th century. The disturbances reportedly began when the church's minister and his family moved into the residence. Objects moved on their own, dishes flew from shelves, furniture slid across rooms, and knocking sounds erupted from the walls at all hours. The phenomena were reported to local newspapers, which covered the story extensively. Investigators who visited the parsonage described witnessing objects move in their presence, including a heavy table that reportedly lifted several inches off the floor. The church community was divided between those who believed the parsonage was genuinely haunted and those who suspected trickery or demonic activity. The disturbances eventually subsided, though not before the minister and his family relocated. The case is notable for the number of credible witnesses — church members, journalists, and city officials — who reported seeing phenomena firsthand. It remains one of the best-documented poltergeist cases in Pacific Northwest history, and the Capitol Hill neighborhood, known for its eclectic character and older housing stock, continues to generate ghost stories to this day.