Asymmetrical Information

Churches that still do snake-handling are few and far between. They're mostly located in the South, they're mostly independent (non-denominational), and they probably only do it on special occasions (like revival services, not typical Sunday services). I don't think you're going to find such a thing in NYC.

However, if you do find such a church I'm sure they will welcome a tweedy Englishman, or any other visitor, as long as said visitor doesn't get weirded out by the sermon (probably long and loud), the music (ditto), and the speaking in tongues.

snake handling is not Southern so much as it is Appalachian. West Virginia is the place to go.

Richard beat me to it. There was a fantastic WP profile of a snakehandling church in WV back in, I think, the early 1990s. The nice thing about trying to find a snakehandling service in WV is that it's legal there, so presumably your friend would have fewer trust barriers to overcome.

I mean, it was legal 15 years ago. I'm assuming they haven't outlawed it since.

Salvation on Sand Mountain is a decent book about the subject for those interested.

If he actually makes it to one, how about a guest blog with a full report?

I've never been/don't wanna go but I would like to hear what he has to say about it.

(I did attend a service that had a 'healing line' once. They were strangely unimpressed when I told them I could cure hic-cups.)

The primary snake church is in Jolo West Virginia.

Services are usually on Saturday evenings and visitors are welcomed.

Been there myself more than once. Snakes, strychnine consumption, amplified music. On one occasion a German tv crew was in attendance.

The people are friendly and (need this be said?) sincerely religious.

I would suggest a telephone call to verify schedule.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jolo,_West_Virginia

I mean, it was legal 15 years ago. I'm assuming they haven't outlawed it since.

Wouldn't it be unconstitutional to outlaw a snake handling religious service?

In Rainbow City, Alabama, at the junction of US 411 and Highway 24, is a small brick church. The blinds are always drawn. On the sign out front is a reference to the bible verse that is said to be the theological underpinning to snake-handling.

I can't say one way or another if your friend would be welcome. I can't even say with any certainty that it IS a snake-handling church, though to quote my uncle "That's what people say, so it must be true."

Disclaimer.

My paternal Grandfather was a ordained minister in the Church of God (Holiness) for several decades. Pretty much the beliefs were the same as churches where snake handling is/was practiced. Old testament heavily emphasised. No make-up or adornment and ankle length dresses proscribed for women. Laying on of hands and speaking in tongues. No consumption of tobacco or alchohol.

The music was sublime, bordering on hypnotic.

The following list is taken from Wikipedia.

Alabama

Rock House Holiness Church on Sand Mountain in the rural northeast

Alberta, Canada

True Holiness Believers Gathering, Lethbridge
Holiness Fire Church Of Lord Jesus With Signs Following, Edmonton
British Columbia, Canada

The Right Hand Of Jesus With Signs Following Church, Kamloops,
Small Believers Of Light Church With Signs Following, Revelstoke

Georgia

The Jesus Name Believers Holiness Church, Canton
Holiness Church of God in Jesus' Name, Kingston
Holiness Church Of Lord Jesus, Roopville

Indiana

Hiway Holiness Church of God, Fort Wayne

Kentucky

Crockett Church, Fields
East London Holiness Church, London

Michigan

Apostolic Church, Warren

Ohio

Full Gospel Jesus Church, Cleveland
Full Gospel Jesus Church, Columbus

South Carolina

Holiness Church of God in Jesus Name, Greenville

Tennessee

Holiness Church of God in Jesus Name, Carson Springs
Sand Hill Church, Del Rio
House of Prayer in Jesus Name, Morristown

West Virginia

Church Of The Lord Jesus With Signs Following, Jolo
Full Gospel Jesus Church, Micco
Full Gospel Jesus Church, Kistler

Is he interested in Orthodox Snake Handling or Reformed?

Tell him to read "The Rapture of Canaan" first.

No, it's not about a snake-handling church. It's about a poor, rural Pentecostal church, and it does a better job than anything else I've read of why people stay in (what appear to be from outside) horrifically repressive churches. (Been there; done that; have the scars from staying and the ones from running.)

As far as I know, Jolo, WV is still holding such services. Visitors (most) are welcome. There are a few other such churches in the general vicinity, one is in Ky.

I seriously was going to skip the comments on this post until I noticed (at 12:36PM EST) 12 commenters. Now, the subject holds absolutely no interest to me, but it fascinates me that 12 people would have something to say about it. Imagine my surprise that folks actually have useful information about how to find a church that does snake handling services.

I love Gore's internet!!!

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