I-M Paranormal Investigators

On August 22, I-MPI investigated the Old School Baptist Church (Bear Creek Church) near Hannibal, MO. It’s a small stone church that was abandoned in the early 1900’s, fell into disrepair and became part of local legends of Marion County thanks to a wayward bobcat or panther according to the Department of Conservation.

Legend

The legend of the church has endured since the 60’s, growing with every telling. Originally, the story was that a woman was killed in the church’s tiny cemetery and her screams echoed across the area late at night. Residents would line the country road in hopes of hearing the unearthly sound. In 1982, the church was burned by an arsonist and the tale changed to a slave was burned to death in the structure by mob action. One final telling finds a boy falling in the cemetery, hitting his head on a headstone and dying, his scream as he fell being heard in the graveyard. So is the progress of legends.

History

The church was organized in 1821 by six local residents, meeting initially in the home of George and Anna Turner. It was the first constituted congregation north of Salt River. A log church was built in 1926, taking a reported 4 years to complete. It was one and a half stories with two balconies for the slaves that attended services. The present building was constructed in 1856 of stone and was in use until sometime after 1911. It’s unclear as yet when the church was no longer used for services. It was part of the Two River Association until that year.

This beautiful stone building was used by Norman Rockwell for an illustration of a church scene in the 1936 printing of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain. It’s also the final resting place for Agness Flahtleroy, a slave owned by the family of Laura Hawkins, the model for Becky Thatcher.

The church and cemetery became the focal point of local legend in the 1960’s, when something sounding like a woman’s scream could be heard coming from the area. Hundreds flocked to the site with the hopes of hearing the scream. After the local authorities investigated the claims, it was determined by officials that a wild cat, i.e. bobcat or panther must have made the sounds, possibly in White Bear Caves nearby, causing it to echo through the area.

This incident drew attention to the site with some negative results. It became the target of thrill seekers, vandals and, regretfully, an arsonist. The church burned in 1982, leaving only the stone shell behind. Since then, the site has been cleaned and restoration is in process by the Cemetery Association.

Legend or History?

In all the research, there is no information on any deaths or trauma at this site. But, as with all history, the search goes on. We are currently reviewing our evidence and will post updates and report later.

Personally, we found this beautiful church and it’s cemetery quiet and peaceful. The crickets chirped and birds sang around us in a symphony of nature. History practically came alive walking here among the stones. But is there paranormal evidence to back the legends? We will see, won’t we?

Remember, this is a historic site. We do not encourage anyone to trespass or defame the property in any way. Since there is such a multitude of legends attached to the church, it is watched carefully and fiercely protected by local law enforcement. Please respect the history.