St. John's Bell -- Downtown Sylva

St. John's Church Bell House, Sylva NC

The original St. John's Episcopal church in Sylva got its start back in 1879, where the mission of the Episcopalians was explained to one Mr. Love and his niece, Sarah. A few years later in 1892, Mr. Love offered the upstairs of his lumberyard office building to the service of the Church, and it was fitted with a chapel. In 1912, Mr. Love donated the land to the church entirely, and it still sits there to this day.
However, the frame of the building was replaced in 1956, and the bell was placed just a few feet from the front door.

A strange orb of light has been reported to float around the bell's tower at night, and then disappear upon further investigation. Local residents walking their dogs at night have often reported the sighting, with no explanation in tow. Some say the orb is a spirit which has lost its way, and is being called to the church via the ringing of the bell.