Ghost-story fans dispirited by plans for renovation of 'haunted' church

Legend has it that the British priest who built Chaonei Church disappeared without a trace before it was completed.

Then, another story goes, the church became the residence of a Kuomintang officer who abandoned his wife. She became so distraught that she committed suicide. People later claimed that, on some nights, her screams could be heard in the corridors of the church.

These are among the spooky associated with Beijing's famous "haunted house" - Chaonei Church at No 81 Chaonei Avenue in the Dongcheng district.