First and foremost, I must emphasize that snake-handling is not a part of the modern Pentecostal or Holiness church practices.
While snake-handling was founded/instituted by a Church of God preacher in the 1910's. By 1920, all Pentecostal and Holiness churches had forbid the practice.
In the US and Canada there are between 40-100 churches which handle snakes as part of their religious services. The numbers are hard to verify as many church-meeting take place in private homes due to legal restrictions.
My interest in this tradition is part of my training as a historian. I feel that that snake-hadlers are a dying breed and any information and/or interviews must be done within the next 30 years.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing,it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. - Mark 16:17-18, King James Bible.
Snake Handling Sects -General Information
S.H. info from About.com (great links to related topics)
S.H. Hang on in Appalachian Churches - National Geographic 2003
Rick Ross Institute (anti-cult site but some good links to news stories)
Religious Movements - Univ. of VA. site
Church of God with Signs Following
Snakehandlers and the Law
2006 -Appalachian Snake Handling - A Ritual of Faith
Snake-Handlers in GA. - solid article
Interesting article linking Gnosticism to modern snake handling
Meet the snake handlers
If God Was a Rattlesnake Would You Pick it Up :Lost in the Land of Faith, Hope and Venom
Interview with Dewey Chafin (W. Va) 1992 from NPR , hear interview on audio!
In the Army of the Lord (W. VA) 1975 --another excellent article
Death of Punkin Brown - Birmingham News 1998
Punkin Brown: A Snake-Handling Minister (excellent!)
Taking Up Serpents: Story of Spencer Evans (Ga 1996)
Growing Up on PZ Ridge: Memories of a Tenn. Farm Girl
Death of The Rev. Dwayne Long, 2004
Charles Prince, (GA)
Other Related Links
Snake Handling at Mt. Zion Church - a poem by John Valentine
Snake in the House? Contacts for snake removers nationwide (great snake pictures)
the Copperhead snake (great site with photos)
the Eatern Diamondback Rattlesnake
the Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin
Venomous species in the US by common name
Venomous species in the US by state
