HARRISON TOWNSHIP — A historic church-turned-private residence is getting national attention months after being vandalized.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, the home was featured on the new HGTV series ‘Scariest House in America’ Friday night.
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It’s located next to Willow View Cemetery on Wagner Ford Road in Harrison Township.
Jess Hess owns the property and said she has mixed emotions about being featured in the series.
On one hand, she thinks it’s cool, but she also doesn’t want to be told her house may be haunted.
“I’m weird. I don’t necessarily believe in the spookier stuff, so I don’t see anything. I don’t experience anything. But I am also afraid of everything and I’m terrified of the dark,” Hess said.
Inside the home, Hess has covered the walls with paintings and pictures she has created. When stepping into a nearby room, pieces of the former church are featured.
“This is a huge building. I have tons of space to do whatever I want to do. I’m always doing a ton of projects, photography,” Hess said.
She said it’s nice because she’s not bothered by the neighbors.
“And the neighbors are all very quiet because it’s just a graveyard. So it’s kind of perfect,” Hess said.
As previously reported by News Center 7, Hess’ home was vandalized in February.
When police showed up, they found the suspect allegedly still smashing her artwork.
“It kind of felt for a minute like my life was over. It was really bad,” Hess said.
She stayed determined to fix the damages and make it home again.
“I do a lot of things differently. I lock a lot more doors between the outside and me. I sleep with a firearm by my head. But aside from that, I’m not afraid,” Hess said.
While cleaning up the damages, Hess checked her email and noticed HGTV reached out.
The company said they heard the house was haunted and wanted to check it out.
Hess said since HGTV, she’s been receiving countless calls from ghost hunters.
News Center 7 asked Hess if she would want to know if they found anything.
“Don’t tell me nothing! I’m already too afraid to go into my kitchen,” she said.
The episode that featured Hess’ home aired at 9 p.m., but she didn’t want to watch it. She wants to hear what her friends think before she watches it herself.
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