82: Serpents in the Sanctuary

For our Halloween special, we’re slithering straight into one of the South’s most chilling and controversial traditions — the world of snake-handling churches.Deep in the Appalachian backwoods, there are still believers who take Mark 16:17-18 literally: “They shall take up serpents…” To them, faith isn’t just felt — it’s proven through venom and obedience. In this episode, we trace the roots of this dangerous devotion back to Cleveland, Tennessee, where preacher George Went Hensley first brought serpents into worship in the early 1900s. From there, the movement spread across the mountains, dividing into sects, defying the law, and leaving a trail of miracles, madness, and tragedy in its wake. We’ll explore how these secretive congregations conduct their fiery services, the deadly bites that made headlines, and the eerie persistence of a ritual outlawed yet still alive in hidden hollers today. Equal parts faith and folklore, this story is a haunting reminder of how belief can both inspire — and consume. So light your candles, lock your doors, and join us as we lift the lid on one of the South’s strangest and most spine-tingling legacies.