35: Ep. 35 The Novitiate: Bullet Holes, & Haunted Tragedy - FAN REQUEST

Discover the dark history of Wisconsin’s most haunted abandoned mansion—the Alexian Brothers Novitiate in Gresham, Wisconsin. This true paranormal story features everything: a mother’s tragic grief, a peaceful monastery turned battleground, an armed standoff that made national headlines, and all the potential for some serious hauntings.

In this episode of Creepy Shit Podcast, I investigate a fan-requested haunted location right in our own backyard. Built in 1939 for a disabled daughter who died before ever seeing it, this 35-room limestone mansion became a Catholic novitiate before being seized by the Menominee Warrior Society in a violent 34-day armed occupation in 1975. The standoff featured gunfire, the National Guard, and even Marlon Brando. After suspected arson destroyed the interior, the mansion sat abandoned for decades—but paranormal investigators believe the spirits never left.

Listen Now & experience the heavy, watchful energy that still permeates this tragic location. With restoration currently underway and plans to convert it into an Airbnb, this haunted mansion may soon be open to ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts. Could you handle spending a night where monks prayed, warriors fought, and a young girl’s spirit may still be waiting?

This documentary-style investigation covers:

- The heartbreaking death of Jane Peters and her mother’s grief

- Life inside the Catholic monastery (1950-1972)

- The Menominee Warrior Society’s “Deed or Death” occupation

- Gunfire, National Guard intervention, and negotiation with Marlon Brando

- The mysterious fire that gutted the mansion in 1975

- Current paranormal activity and restoration efforts

- Why this location has every element needed for a genuine haunting

**Perfect for fans of true ghost stories, haunted history, abandoned places, Wisconsin paranormal activity, Native American history, and well-researched supernatural investigations. If you love shows like Morbid, And That’s Why We Drink, Spooked, or Lore, you’ll love this deep dive into one of the Midwest’s most haunted and forgotten locations.

REFERENCES & RESOURCES

Primary Historical Sources:

- Alexian Brothers’ Novitiate - Wikipedia

- Gresham Novitiate Official Website (greshamnovitiate.com)

- “The Abbey and Me” - J. Patrick Rick (2011) - Documentary & Book

- WTMJ News: “Deed or Death: The 1975 Alexian Brothers Novitiate Standoff” (February 2025)

Historical Documentation:

- Milwaukee Journal Archives (1941, 1975)

- Shawano County Historical Records

- Recollection Wisconsin: Novitiate Takeover Collection

- College of Menominee Nation Archives

Paranormal Investigation:

- “Mission Terror” - GRAGG Team Episode (2015)

Photography & Visual Documentation:

- Al Bergstein Historical Photos (1975 standoff)

- American Urbex: Alexian Brothers Novitiate Photo Documentation

- Star’s Visit Photos: @CreepyShitPodcast (Instagram/TikTok)

Location Information:

- Status: Currently under restoration (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC)

- Future Plans: Potential Airbnb/wedding venue/retreat center

Related Topics:

- Menominee Tribe Termination Era

- Second Vatican Council reforms

- American Indian Movement (AIM)

- 1970s Native American activism

- Wisconsin haunted locations