‘Halloween goes to Hell’ at Pullman Church

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin shared photos of people dressed in Halloween costumes, with some pictures dating back a nearly century, during a presentation Saturday at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church.

The top photo shows a group of Albion residents dressed as hobos in 1943 and includes, from left: Sanford B. Church, Albert Mason, Ruth Mason and Dr. John Jackson.

About 100 people attended “Halloween is Going to Hell: From Saints to Spooks.” The event, which traced Halloween’s sacred roots to its modern day pagan holiday, was a fundraiser for the restoration efforts at the Pullman Church, 10 East Bank St.

Lattin is working on a book to be released for Halloween 2015 that will include photos of people in costume as well as stories of pranks. He is seeking photos and stories from before 2000. Proceeds from that book will go to the church restoration.

Father George Heyman also spoke at the event. He is pictured with some of the 19th Century prints on display of saints. Lattin is sharing the Victorian images for an exhibit that will be on display inside the church until Valentine’s Day.

Heyman has been a priest in the Diocese of Rochester for 33 years. He was an associate professor of Biblical studies at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry in Pittsford. He was recently named new president of St. Bernard’s School.

The event also included Rich Della Costa playing the piano, Harriette Greaser on the Johnson pipe organ and Al Capurso and his son Dan playing their guitars.

Two of the attendees at the event look over some of the prints of saints.