Green Lawn Abbey

General Information

The OES visited the Green Lawn Abbey on July 13, 2003. Originally called "Woodlawn Mausoleum", the Abbey is located on Greenlawn Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. This beautiful mausoleum is often believed to be connected to the huge Green Lawn Cemetery located just down the road. In actuality, the Green Lawn Abbey is not connected to the cemetery and even has different owners. It has been speculated that the Abbey was named after the cemetery to take advantage of the cemetery's good name. Built in 1927, the Abbey is an awesome structure built from Ohio limestone and Italian marble. It was the largest and finest mausoleum in Columbus, with enough space for 654 interments. There are several notable residents of the Abbey including world-famous Howard Thurston the Magician, five-time Columbus Mayor George Karb and members of the Lewis Sells family who owned the 2nd largest traveling circus in the early 1900s. Of course a building of this magnitude is said to be haunted. The ghost of Thurston the Magician, is said to roam the halls of the Abbey as well as a woman who is said to haunt the second floor. Even if these stories are only local folklore, the Abbey is a very creepy place inside. Maybe it's knowing that just behind the plaque on the wall lays the remains of someone who has been long gone. Since the Abbey is a difficult place to get into, not many pictures of it's interior exist. We were lucky enough to find the Abbey unlocked and wide open for a few days, but it has been relocked since our visit. We did manage to get 360º panoramic photos as well as a few EVPs from the place while it was open. Eventually we'll put up the video that we shot while in the Abbey. While we were there, we heard one of the metal gates open on the other end of the building from where we were. Upon inspection, we were expecting to find a homeless person, but no one was there. In 2006, restoration work began on the heavily vandalized Abbey. Please visit the Abbey's Official Website to make a donation to help with the restoration costs. WARNING: The Green Lawn Abbey was heavily vandalized in 2004. As a result, anyone found on the property will be arrested and prosecuted. The building is now regularly patrolled by police, has an alarm system with video monitoring, and is often watched over by security. Please contact Franklinton Township Police at 614-462-3333 if you witness illegal activity taking place at this magnificent building.

Location Information: Abandoned - Restoration in Progress

The Green Lawn Abbey is located at 700 Greenlawn Avenue in Columbus, Franklin County. Read warning above.

Photographs: Exterior