Jolo, West Virginia: Famous Snake Handling Church In Appalachia & More
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2024
- Jolo, West Virginia: Famous Snake Handling Church In Appalachia & More
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I live in Jolo, was born and raised here, Bob and Barb Elkins were our neighbors, wonderful people. We didn’t believe as they did but it was never an issue with friendship
Is there still a decent size following in that church?? How many people go each week? Any idea?
Hi Dolly, I also have Mullins DNA. There's quite a few of us that originate from those first ancestors that received Land Grants & ended up in SE Kentucky. We probably match parts of our DNA. Take care...
Alot of "wonderful" people are weeping and gnashing their teeth right along with barb and bobby... These liars ain't mocking God.
My Daddy John Henry Mullins was born right there in Jolo. Granny lived on Turkey branch which i think was right behind there. She had lived in a little log cabin. I stayed some weekends with her when i was a small child. This was late fifties. Daddy told me a story one time. When he was young he deided to go to a snake handling Church, but when they started handling snakes, he leaned over and asked one of the members where the back door was because he was leaving. The man said they didn't have a backdoor, and Daddy said well, where do you want one?! Thanks for this video.
My Grandma (from Welch) used to tell me the same story. She said it was either a song or a like a comedy skit she remembered. She always got a kick out of it.
@@jennifervt03 Yes i am sure it was a story and he told it much better than i did. He was born on (Turkey Branch ?) in Jolo and i remember we used to visit my Grandmother Pricy Rife there. A lot of my people lived around there.
I wouldn't even waste time asking about it, I would just make a new one if need be! Don't like snakes, definitely not gonna pick them up and dance with them!!
Good one. But although I'm a Christian sure enough, the handling of venomous snakes wouldn't have been for me. I shudder at the thought.
Hi DL, I also have Mullins DNA. There's quite a few of us that originate from those first ancestors that received Land Grants & ended up in SE Kentucky. We probably match parts of our DNA. Take care...
I grew up in Jolo in the 70s. Went to school 1st thru 6th grade there. I remember when we got the new gym and cafeteria. We moved to TN in 1980, I was 13 years old. I also remember the snake church but I'm not sure about the location now. It may have been in a different place. Looks different. I haven't been there in years. The place you stopped used to be called 3 forks. There used to be a drive in restaurant there called the Blue Swan. Sat on the spinning barstools at the counter and ate hamburgers till I got sick when I was a kid. Not sure if it was from eating 2 hamburgers at 5 years old or the relentless spinning. Great memories of childhood and being raised by my grandparents. Couldn't have been better.
"I'll be hot on her heels watching the smoke come out of your tail pipe" lol just about knocked me over with well needed laughter! Thank you for all your videos!!!
I live in WV and all I'm gonna say is Awww Hell Nahhh !!!!
Yup! the Jolo snake handlers are the real deal.
I promise I am being totally respectful, because I understand you're taken, but Melody, you are the only one with a voice so sweet, you can even make the word "Snake" sound like pure mountain honey. ☺
We lived in rural southeast Virginia, surrounded by marsh, creeks and tributaries where poisonous water moccasins abounded. We always covered our kids in prayers and declarations of protection by God. Those water moccasins got into our old house, shed skins in our daughters closet, our kids inadvertently swam with them and they alarmed us by showing up in the most unexpected places. No one was ever bit. We didn’t have to go out of our way to handle them to prove Gods protection. Our God loves us and will protect us, from snakes or whatever the danger may be, if we will only believe He will. We don’t have to bear his protection on our shoulders by purposely picking up snakes, or jumping off a cliff like Satan tempted Jesus to do. Nor walking out into busy tragic for that matter. Just know that God is good and receive it.
What you shared was beautiful. I completely agree.
Yes! Thank you! These snake handling Christians are wrong in interpreting a single bible verse, which has resulted in injury and death. They believe a lie and do not know how to interpret the bible.
Thank you for posting this, first time I have seen the school I attended 3rd,4th and 5th grade, moved away after finishing 5th grade, the bigger building beside of it wasn’t there when I went, but heard it was a gym/ cafeteria. God Bless
God bless you too, Althea, glad we brought a little of home to you
Being a nurse practitioner my first thought was, do any of the snake handlers change their perspective after getting bitten, start getting sicker and then decide to get medical treatment? Then how far do they have to be taken to find a clinic that has CroFab in stock, the antivenin? It runs $2300 for a vial and it usually requires 4 to 8 vials, but 12 is not unheard of. Plus you can add on the fees for the ambulance, ER, ICU, other medications (as the snake venom kills cells it causes hours of heavily intense pain), blood tests and etc, easily adding up to a bill of over $100K. I’m not sure how much Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance covers for this treatment..and then there is some recovery time off work even if everything goes okay. Sometimes treatment isn’t received quickly enough and the bitten area necroses (tissue dies), turns black and falls off.
I’m with Melody and Shane and believe in respecting different religions, but I believe people should have a clear-eyed picture of the potential consequences, including that your children may lose their parent , your parent may lose their child, and a spouse lose their true love.
Great points, I dont know that I've ever heard of anyone who was bitten being willing to go to a hospital for treatment. I didnt even consider the financial consequences if they did. It is also tough to think about them keeping healthcare workers tied up needlessly in this day and age.
No, they don't go to the hospital if or when they are bitten. They will heal or die and that is where they stand. It is their faith and I was raised in it too, so I get it. I love them and they are great people! They let God handle them and they don't need any hospital or anything like that.
They don't deny anyone the right to go to the hospital if they want to go but I have never known of anyone wanting to go to the hospital.
@Seydou Kone It is not about someone being a nurse. It is about their faith and they believe that their faith will bring them through.
Can we get a full spread sheet of what illegals are costing legal Americans at your medical facility?
These are called “signs following “ churches . Mark 16: 17-18 . It’s fascinating to watch people who are steadfast in their beliefs and sincerely dedicated to a life of obedience to the word of God. I am an X military man who fought for the rights of people in the USA to worship in the manner that they see fit as long as it’s not forced upon others .The best way to approach anything that you don’t understand is to try to learn as much as you can about the opinions and practices that are contrary to your own. Ask questions with an open mind and try to gain a decent understanding of why people believe the way that they believe and then let them freely continue in those beliefs and practices . That’s the American way. Shane and Melody clearly do that ! Great video !✌🏼🇺🇸
thank you, yes, time and life experiences have taught me to not question other's faith and practices. I think we are all just trying to find the right path for our life.
Very interesting video. I am absolutely terrified of snakes so I could never attend a service with snake handling. Very pretty drive on a beautiful autumn day in WV. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it, Crystal
People have been bitten and died. Just my opinion, but picking on a snake seems more like tempting the Devil than avoiding him...
You are absolutely correct. They are incorrectly interpreting one, simple, metaphorical bible verse. They are disobeying God's word, and dying because of it.
My grandma took me with her back in the 70s to a snake church, she lived in Stonega va. We walked to it up a trail she was invited by a friend. It was like a normal service till the end and here came the snakes. There preacher brought them to the service. He kept them in a snake room near his barn.
I cant imagine how I'd react if I attended one of those services
I really like your videos of Appalachia! I grew up and lived in Bradshaw. Jolo elementary school closed around mid to late 90s. I wanna say 98, but I could be off a year or two. It later become a community center and a few other things. The building beside the school was in fact the gymnasium and also served as a cafeteria.
thanks so much for watching and the great info
I GREW up in Jolo. Moved away in1980 at 13 years old.
As a Muslim woman these type of services and how different people show their faith is fascinating to me. Enjoyed this video immensely 👍
Thank you
Fascinating yes, but every time i hear or read about serpent handlers I am reminded of Hadith in which A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, should I tie my camel and trust in Allah, or should I leave her untied and trust in Allah?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Tie her and trust in Allah.”
Trust In God but always tie your camel
I attended that church as a kid. My grandparents (Ellis and Jennie McCoy) we're friends with Bob and Barb Elkins. Barb got bite on day and my grandmother and several others prayed her back to life. There's a book called The Serpent Handler that tells about it. Barb mentions my grandmother in it. Bob and Barb's daughter was bit and died. They tried to shut them down. They went to Charleston to the capital and fought for their religious rights. My mom and dad also went there (Jim and Dorothy Hatfield). My grandparents also had a church in Big Sandy, they also handled serpents.
Wow what a comment. So informative. So there's another church still in existence in Big Sandy that handles serpents too?? The one your grandparents created?
Quite fascinating and educational. Really enjoying your shows. Thanks guys!
My aunt went there. I've been to a few funerals there. A couple service too. I miss my summer vacations up there.
Hey guys, this used to be a snake handling church but it’s not anymore, Harvey Payne is the pastor now and snake handling is not practiced there now, please do an update
Hey Shane I just love your videos! I, too, have a great love for Appalachia as my father was from Charleston, WV so I spent my summers growing up in a small town in Kanawha county WV. I have been interested in this church for years and have researched it quite a bit. I have found that there have been many snakebites in that church and one girl in her 20's died from a snakebite back in the 1960's. And another article I have read stated that a member of that church was bitten well over 100 times! They get their statement of faith from the Book of Mark 16 verse 18 where it mentions handling snakes and drinking poison and not becoming sick. I do respect their faith. Again great video!
You "respect their faith?" Their faith is deception, believing a lie that has caused danger, injury and death. Anyone who believes Mark 16:18 commands or suggests anyone purposefully handle venomous snakes is wrong and does not know how to interpret God's word.
Hey you guys !! Good to see you!! Thank you for filming these very interesting n important places in W.VA !!! I really enjoy seeing all the places you go n tell us all about. They make me love W. VA even more n feel closer to my Dad's home State. There isn't any more beautiful State than W. VA.
WV really is a magical place
Man I just love you guys! God Bless, (Glen). WV.
thanks so much, we really appreciate it
I don't think we should TEMPT God with snake handling.
I lived and grew up just on other side of Bradshaw mountain on VA side. We all grew up knowing of the snake handlers of Jolo. This beautiful scenery makes me so home sick. Ty for the video you guys are the best.
We are in revival there now.. we love it, they don’t handle snakes anymore and Lord neither do I. But, it’s a great church
The Lord surely See's our hearts & no doubt these people have true faith in God therefore God protects them through The Holy Ghost . I pray to God that my faith will be that strong one day. God bless all brothers & sisters in Christ Jesus.
Grew up in Grundy, Va up the hollow road from a snake handler who had over a hundred mostly rattlers. If you knew where one was nesting you could just let him know and he would come capture it.
Same with Brother Dewey and Pastor Elkins.
Hi, I grew up in Big Rock, about twelve miles from Grundy. We moved North sixty years ago on my twelfth birthday. Loved growing up there as the son of a coal miner.
@@dlmullins9054 My first wife was from Jack’s Creek. Her father was Roy Lester. How old are you?
My cousin and my aunt grew up here in Jolo and Bradshaw. Harold Herring and his mom Grace. They've been passed away a few years now, I stopped there in Jolo only a year ago. I found only 1 man who remembered them, but found it odd that others didn't know them, and they lived there pretty much all there lives. Found 1 man name Harvey ( can't remember his last name ) who lived there his whole and never heard of him. And this is a community where everyone knows everyone. :)
I've been to serval snake handling churches in East Tennessee.
Does anyone know if Brother Tim McCoy is still alive?
Yes he is my neighbor
No wonder this dude is always happy, having a beautiful, great girl in ur life, enough said.
We enjoyed the video as usual! BUT ME NO LIKE SNAKES!
I have watched that video on Jolo several times!
us neither, glad you liked it despite the slithering stars of the video lol
I have a good friend and coon hunting buddy that lives one house down there.........Ive never went next door. Lol. Theres only one way to Heaven, JESUS CHRIST!! Lets agree on that. AaaaaaaaaMen!!
They no longer handle snakes at this church
I enjoy all your videos, but this is one of my favorites. I live in central rural Ohio where we have some strange religious beliefs also. They are mostly conservative Mennonites and Apostolics, and of course Amish. They are tough positive friendly people as well. Keep going you two.
thanks so much!
@tall dude
I live in Ohio too. Moved here from California 47yrs ago.
And I highly doubt that the Apostolic people handle snakes lol. I don't know of any that do, and being Apostolic myself I know a lot of people from all over the place!
Some believe Jesus was talking to the original Apostles only; hence, Paul was bitten by the viper, but was not harmed. It would always be dangerous to base any doctrine on one passage of Scripture only. Snakes are very valuable. The average black snake will eat 190 mice and the ticks on them each year. If you kill a snake, you are inviting 190 mice into your home. Having a few venomous snakes might keep people from bothering the other non-venomous snakes.
Thank you for that! My wife suddenly decided $12000 was nowhere close enough to relocate. So I guess I owe you two a great debt of gratitude and Machiavelli's is on me!
you're welcome, we are just looking out for you, brother lol
@@realappalachia As Gomer used to say to Andy, "Thank ya, Thank ya, Thank ya!" Rocking head from side to side with a silly smirky smile on it... ;-)
Nothing like rattle snakes to make church exciting!
I stumbled across a very interesting station called “ Chrystal that is me”…. She grew up in a snake handling church and recruited her non church going husband into it. It’s an old fashion type vid with just two people sharing experiences. I’ve been following the churches quite a bit. They shed a light on the grooming of each other to start handling snakes at a very young age by playing with rubber snakes. The community is obsessed with snakes. She said there is a strip of snake handing churches along the north east section of Appalachia. Nice video
Watch the TH-cam video ":Snake Handling Squire West Virginia" with Pastor Chris Wolford. Talk about exciting rhythm and fantastic guitar playing: WOW!
God hasn't commanded me to pickup a snake so I'm not.
amen to that
My mother and dad used to go to this church when I was a little kid and Joe Turner was the pastor.
I enjoy watching your videos.
Thanks so much
They have every right to worship how they see fit and I'd never infringe upon that I believe freedom is sacred. That said the way I handle snakes is 30 feet away with a 12 guage.
Interesting, fascinating, thx!
Glad you enjoyed it!
They also drink strychnine. There have been several preachers that have died from being snake bit during services. I’d love to see y’all do Long Pole and Cub Creek and Huff Creek! Long Pole is only about 4 miles from Iaeger. Which is where my parents met in 1949. It was love at first sight. They met on Saturday and were married on the following Friday. They were together until he died in 1999.
what a great story you shared...yes, I kicked myself in the pants for not mentioning the drinking of strychnine
@@realappalachia you did a great and respectful job!
@@ginariffe5525 thanks so much for saying that, it is a delicate amd tricky subject.
They play with fire as well.
@@raymatthews4319 I didn’t know that!
Yes! Jolo!
I been to that church lot great people in those mountains and hollows
Jolo grade school was operational into the late 90's or early 2000's
Gotta luv these two.....they cool/...
I have to admit, this video bites....😂😂😂😂
Couldn't help myself! Great video. I do have to agree with you that in Genesis it explains the serphant. Well, to each their own. Have you done a video on Ostego yet? A very good friend of mine was raised there. Her father was a miner. Just curious. Anyway, always enjoy and learn something from your experiences you post. Keep it up guys. Have fun, stay safe and stay healthy!
gotta respect a good pun llol. We haven't done one on Ostego and I am not really familiar with that town. Thanks so much
I always heard about that church. I grew up in Bartley which is about 15 to 20 miles away. Have u ever visited Bartley. There use to be a coalmine which blew up and killed like 90 people.
been to Bartley several times but haven't done a video yet. I remember reading of a mine disaster in Bartley
You asked a question about why the service hours are so different. A lot of times it's that way on Sunday because of the people that travel from far away
Fascinating topic and great video. Love this part of West Virginia - only made it as far as Wyoming and Boone Counties
Thank you, yeah, Wyoming and Boone counties havent been quite as hard hit as the more southern part of the state. It is a beautiful area.
@@realappalachia I also think it was great that you pointed out that this is not a common thing in all parts of Appalachia. Makes all the more special that you covered it!
I like the Jesus signs it never hurts to have more Jesus
I would not have been able to resist hollering "snake" ,lol. Love the mountain videos. Great job ! 👍
thanks so much...believe me, it was VERY tempting lol
I went from kindergarten to 2nd grade here 1996 to 98 I do believe is when it was closed I went into 3rd grade at the old Bradshaw elementary school that was tore down the river view high school sits there now there’s also a elementary in Bradshaw next to the high school they did use the Jolo elementary gym for a church for awhile
Dr. Harrison Everett Breen was an out of town, guest preacher at All Soul's Church in JoLo. He preached on slowing down days and taking it easy; asking "What's your hurry?"
Been to Jolo and to that Church but I left early. I do not judge anyone by religious beliefs.
The Lord handles those the judge.
They don’t handle snakes here anymore. Bro Harvey won’t let them
It’s a good video West Virginia is the only state that this practice is allowed it’s illegal everywhere else I’m from West Virginia to Potomac highlands we don’t practice it up in my part of West Virginia that I know of
There is a church like that in Middlesboro,Kentucky.Snake killed the pastor.
Cody Coots?
@@pamfink4052 no his Dad Jamie, Cody is still alive
Opinions, destruction of man. Leave These People ALONG, that's why you're sons call themselves your daughters and your daughter has a wife. Mind your own beeswax
Another great video thanks 😊 👍
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you
will be on the Appalachian trail next week
Googled and the school closed in the mid 90’s.
thanks for the info
A wonderful church with wonderful people. And you weren't being disrespectful! Just curious.
They no longer handle snakes here
From heaven above, snakes are not poisonous.
If it bites you and you die, it's venomous. If you bite it and you die, it's poisonous.
Lots of folks from WV ended up in NW Florida. We've had our share of snake handling churches too.
That last building u was asking about was the gym after it was closed it was a church for awhile
Thanks for the info!
@@realappalachia your very welcome love your videos
Great show !
thank you!
I tuned the piano in that church several times in the early 80s. The first time I went there, they went to great lengths to assure me that there weren't any snakes there. The previous piano tuner had been there tuning and there was a big whicker basket with a lid on it next to the piano. out of the corner of his eye, he saw the basket move. He lifted the lid and saw it was full of snakes. He grabbed his tools and ran out of the church. He left the piano all apart and never went back to put it back together!
I wont sleep a wink after reading that lol
Wow what a great story. Did you live in Jolo? Or were you brought in far away to do the piano repairs?
@@klwthe3rd I lived in Princeton for about 6 years.
Love Melody’s accent
That was beautiful old history. What happened to doing this week in Appalachia history?
Dangerous, creepy and scary! 🐍
By the way, members of the church DO NOT allow visitors or children under the age of 7 to touch the snakes.
They no longer handle snakes at this particular church
I heard Melody say she was brought up in a Pentecostal Church. Anymore to comment on the church? I am Pentecostal, and just curious. Enjoy your video`s .......
2024 is this church still having services
I used to go to this church and the members of this church kept the snakes at there homes
the lettering on the school looks art deco which would date to when the building was built
So what times are the services?
Who was the comedian who did a skit about a snake handlers church. Since they didn’t have a back door he wanted to know where they would like one.
Wa s that Jerry Clower?
Definitely sounds like something he would put out but I can’t find it on the Internet.
Found it. Wendy Bagwell
@@jeffreyfoster8413 that’s a good one!👍😂🤣
Since I found it I had to listen to it again.
This is my uncle's church . It's no longer used as a snake handling church..
Amazing video guys!
Thanks so much!
You do not Tempt God
You are absolutely right Dave Bryant. I wonder how in the world you found Jolo, WV. It is almost in God's country. Now, regarding snake handling. Believe it or not it is a common practice throughout the state. One never knows if his/her neighbor is a snake handler. I am serious when I make that statement. WV is the only state that allows snake handling, but it is also done in Tennessee. Snake handling is a sect of the Penecostal Church. The members also drink strychnine. You MUST be invited to a snake handling service. I have visited a snake handling service in WV. Believe me, that is a service that you will NEVER forget. The music does put the people into a trance. Some of the young people actually dance in a trance. Snake handling is based on the book of Mark 24: 17-18 which reads "And these signs will follow those who believe. In My name they will cast one demons, they will soak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Glad you visited Jolo and learned about snake handling. Were you on any thirdary roads to reach Jolo? Ha!
the signs to some of the churches say "all are welcome" so idk about having to be invited. There also some known snake handling churches in Kentucky, North Carolina and Alabama.
it is true today that most snake handling churches are very few but there is a rich history of serpent handling that goes back all the to the early 1900s here in the south and alot wont admit it but it started mainly in the church of God organization which is pentecostal and than oneness pentecostals i got a whole book on it its called serpent handling believers
Vote to get snake handling and all other religious practices allowed in our public schools!
I was able to release an orange and black, harmless, ring neck snake from a sticky trap I use for catching spiders in my garage. I went on Google pants then utube. Snake is very happily living in my woods. The snake knew I was trying to help it
Jolo, where men are men, and so are the women
Trouser snakes? Be careful. haha!
Saturday is the real Sabbath, Sunday is first day of the week.appostolics observe sat as Sabbath also.
Not the apostolics I know, we all have church on Sunday
Their hypocrites, they supposedly have faith tht the snake won't kill em but they'll close for covid? Wht a bunch of bull!
This area of the world there is nothing more to do but play with Snakes . I know i grew up in the area
To each their own, I won't judge any person for handling snakes, as a matter of fact there's a Church here in the county of Kentucky I live in that practices the handling of snakes. I know of two people that have died because of being bit while attending such service.
always hurts to hear of people dying from the practice
It comes from the book of mark I go to an apostolic church but we don't go that far
Neither do we! Been Apostolic for over 30 yrs, never been to a church like that, don't plan on going either lol
I'm not a fan of snakes, although many are valuable for rodent control. Sweetwater, Texas is really big on the snake festivals, with Diamond back rattlesnakes.
I'll pass on that lol
@@realappalachia 😆🤣😅😂😁😄
Interesting sign in the church above the pastor's head: NO WOMEN WITH SLEEVELESS DRESSES....NO MEN WITH LONG HAIR
I noticed that too, very legalistic
Wonder if they had a scripture for that!
That sign is no longer there.
Jesus had long hair!
Pentecostal roots, and many Pentecostal preacher's still hold to the old standards of dress which heavily emphasize modesty. No sleeveless/strapless/halter dresses, no pants/shorts, skirts below the knee, women with long uncut hair. It's how we believe and comes from the New Testament.
Where did you get the vintage video if you don’t mind me asking?
found it at archive.org where you can download things in the public domain, hope that is helpful
Lovely WV lady.
The same principles you see practiced by serpent handlers are the very same "rules" that fire walkers observe in the Near Eastern nations as well as in Hawaii. The gist of the preparation is as follows: the participants KNOW that before they engage in serpent handling or fire walking (or drinking poisons) they get in a highly trance-like state of consciousness. In the case of the serpent handlers they call this state (their own words) having the Holy Spirit of God descend upon them. To bring this on, they will sing, dance, speak in tongues, and do whatever else it takes them to achieve this state of consciousness. This preparation time can last several hours. That explains why their services can last up the five hours. They will all tell anyone that to attempt to engage in these activities WITHOUT the altered state is dangerous to the max. THEY KNOW THIS FULL WELL. You may ask at this point, what has gone wrong when someone has "gone through the preparation" BUT STILL GETS BITTEN (OR POISONED OR BURNED). The answer is as follows: they had not gotten to the correct state of altered consciousness even though they thought they had. This process is highly subjective in nature and is a dangerous habit to engage in even for veterans of the custom.....that is, a mistake made one time might be the LAST mistake they will ever make. So, what do psychologists say about the practice: they concur that the altered state of consciousness is certainly part of the procedure and they conjecture that the snakes somehow sense this state of mind and are hence not apt to strike a person. That is the best they can do with an explanation.