A couple renovating a 19th-century church in upstate New York have captured the attention of millions online after uncovering an unusual discovery: two exterior windows that hint at a room that doesn’t seem to exist. Lauren Gunderman, 31, shared with Newsweek that she and her partner are transforming the 1872 church into a luxurious venue for weddings and events.
The couple owns The Stately on Main, a former Presbyterian church in Waterville. They have been documenting their quest for what they believe is a hidden space within the building. Their investigation has sparked widespread intrigue online, drawing theories, warnings, and even expert input as viewers try to solve the mystery.
In a video shared on Instagram on May 25 by @127eastmain, the couple attempts to breach what they describe as a “mystery room” inside the church. The footage shows them targeting a suspected entry point in the ceiling, where wooden boards were placed. They start removing the boards, hoping to gain access. “How the hell we get into this mystery room?” asks the poster in the video.
The quest began when Gunderman and her partner noticed two exterior windows that didn’t align with any visible interior space. Convinced there was a hidden room inside the church, they began searching for an entry point.
“Another attempt at getting into the mystery room in my 1872 church! Why am I wearing pink slides with socks?” the caption reads. “In this video, we’re trying to locate the ‘mystery room,’ which is wherever those two windows you see on the exterior actually exist inside the church. We figured going through the floor would get us there, but instead we just found…more floor,” Gunderman said.
At one point, they found a small opening beneath the area where they thought the room might be, covered by boards. Hopes rose as they believed they had found an entrance. Yet, after removing the boards and even lowering a phone into the space, they discovered more structure with no hidden room in sight.
Gunderman revealed that viewers might have already solved the mystery. “After receiving a flood of comments from organ experts, I’ve learned the windows were likely boarded up inside the organ room after it was electrified, but I don’t want to mess with the pipes, so we may never know for sure!” she said.
The video quickly gained traction, amassing over 4.9 million views and more than 137,000 likes, captivating viewers invested in their journey. One user, Jk_its_me_scarlett, humorously commented on the decision to investigate: “So you bought an old church with a boarded-off room….and your first thought was how do we get in there? That’s where the demon sleeps.” Another user, Oscar.a.mejia, added: “Old church, boarded up room, yep I’m not opening that up!” Starcatcher1966 remarked on the couple’s curiosity, suggesting caution: “So, wait you bought and old church, found a closed-off, completely sealed room or space and your first thought is how do I get in?? Nope nope nope…have it blessed and hope whatever they boarded up/sealed in there stays in there.”
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