Will Hindman: Appalachian Americans Religious Snake Handlers in Birchwood, Tennessee

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“In the early 1900’s a small group of church members made up of Pentecostal, Church of God and Southern Baptists began practicing what came to be known as Snake Handling. They shall pick up serpents through their faith in God that no harm shall come to the ones who believe and trust in his name .Many of these type Church Services took place around where l grew up in Birchwood, Tennessee. Certainly not everyone participated in these events, but seemed to have the knowledge that it was happening. Throughout the years this practice has faded out around my little home town.But still there are people that continue to practice it today.”

15 Comments

  • Stan Wayne
    Reply January 13, 2017

    Stan Wayne

    Ignorance of Mark 16 and Acts 28

  • Varnel Watson
    Reply January 16, 2017

    Varnel Watson

    Stop handle serpents and cast demons out and try fulfilling the Great Commission

    • Stan Wayne
      Reply January 16, 2017

      Stan Wayne

      As I say ignorance of Mark 16 and Acts 28

  • Varnel Watson
    Reply January 16, 2017

    Varnel Watson

    Street Preacherz OP comes from Will Hindman of Birchwood, Tennessee in the Appalachian Americans group. I think Jim Price is memeber there too. Here is the OP link https://www.facebook.com/groups/AppalachianAmericans/permalink/10154458593528648/?match=YmlyY2h3b29k

  • Street Preacherz
    Reply January 16, 2017

    Street Preacherz

    Thank you.

  • Jim Price
    Reply January 16, 2017

    Jim Price

    Yeah in late September of 1952 I saw the Dolly Pond group handle snakes on the courthouse square in Cleveland,Tn. two were bitten, one died the next day and the other one barely survived. After that the city forbid that kind of service on the square.

    • Street Preacherz
      Reply January 16, 2017

      Street Preacherz

      Thank you. What kind of thing do you think makes people do that? I love the Bible too. But isn’t that like tempting the Lord? Is it a translation thing?

  • Reply February 19, 2020

    Josh

    That’s Minnie Parker, my Great Grandma. Lived to be 98 years old and I was one of her pallbearers. We had to carry her across the street and up a slick grassy hill to a hand dug grave and lower her by hand to rest by her husband who died in the 70’s.

  • Reply February 20, 2020

    Varnel Watson

    JOHN STOKES left this comment on http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/

    That’s Minnie Parker, my Great Grandma. Lived to be 98 years old and I was one of her pallbearers. We had to carry her across the street and up a slick grassy hill to a hand dug grave and lower her by hand to rest by her husband who died in the 70’s.

  • Nettie Miller
    Reply February 20, 2020

    Nettie Miller

    No snake handleing for me !!

    • Reply February 21, 2020

      Varnel Watson

      why not?

  • Daniel J Hesse
    Reply February 20, 2020

    Daniel J Hesse

    You did not!

    • Reply February 21, 2020

      Varnel Watson

      did what?

  • Darryl Forbes
    Reply February 20, 2020

    Darryl Forbes

    On a lighter note. (kinda). I remember reading that A J Tomlinson visited a snake handling church and decided that it was NOT to be a part of the Church of God. Had he decided differently, I GUARANTEE that the Church of God, Church of God of prophecy, and other groups that trace their modern day roots to him would NOT contain the large number of Black members they contain today. I KNOW this man wouldn’t be a member ???

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