There's a ghost on campus, and students aren't sure where to find him.
Built in 1851, the Auburn Chapel was used as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War and was the site of rebel soldier Sydney Grimlett's death following a leg amputation.
According to legend, the ghost of Sydney may still wander through the building.
The chapel was sold to the University in 1921 and was home to the Auburn Players Theatre from 1927 until 1973, when the Auburn theatre began performing at the Telfair Peet Theatre on Samford Avenue.
It was during the early theatre performances at the chapel that Sydney was said to have appeared.
"I never knew the chapel was supposed to be haunted," said Amanda Wynne, junior in biomedical sciences and secretary for the Auburn House of Prayer. "It's a very peaceful place to be."
Wynne said AHOP meets in the chapel every Tuesday and has a prayer watch once a month, but she has never experienced anything related to a haunting.
Still, the legend of Sydney has attracted its fair share of attention.
Sydney is a featured ghost in the late Kathryn Tucker Windham's book, "Jeffrey's Latest 13: More Alabama Ghosts."
And in 2008, the Southern Paranormal Researchers came to the chapel two separate nights to investigate.
The investigative team took photos and video, conducted psychic readings and used devices to record EVP, or electronic voice phenomena.
The team failed to conclude the chapel is haunted, but said because of unexplained energy fields, orbs and EVP, it could be a residual haunting.
Other legends have suggested Sydney moved to the Telfair Peet Theatre after performaces ended at the chapel.
Chris Baldwin, senior in theatre, said every theatre has its ghost.
"The chapel used to be the theatre," Baldwin said. "I think Sydney followed us over from there."
Baldwin said people would find a single shoe missing at the theatre and blame the one-legged ghost.
Mary Landwehr, junior in musical theatre, said on opening nights students would leave Reese's Pieces on the catwalk above the stage for Sydney.
Sydney was banished from the theatre in 2008.
"Too many students started blaming Sydney for any problems during plays," Landwehr said.
Landwehr said she isn't sure if the banishment worked or not.
"I've been in both places at night, and the theatre is creepy," Baldwin said. "I do know the ghost came from the chapel, but I don't know if he returned or not," Landwehr said.
Real or not, Landwehr said, Sydney is an Auburn legend.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
