The Berkeley County Possession

In 1987, a family in Berkeley County, South Carolina, experienced what they believed was demonic infestation followed by possession of a family member. The case involved clergy from multiple Christian denominations working together.

The Beginning

The family reported classic signs of haunting: unexplained sounds, objects moving, shadows seen in peripheral vision. The activity intensified over weeks, eventually focusing on the teenage daughter.

The Possession

The daughter began exhibiting dramatic changes: speaking in a deep voice, displaying impossible knowledge, and showing violent reactions to prayer. Her strength seemed to exceed what should have been possible.

The Response

The family contacted their local church, then others when the first attempts at deliverance failed. Eventually, Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic clergy collaborated on the case.

The Exorcism

Over the course of several weeks, clergy conducted prayers and rituals from multiple traditions. The activity gradually subsided, and the daughter returned to normal behavior.

Assessment

The Berkeley County case is notable for the ecumenical response. In a region where denominational differences usually matter, the severity of the case brought different churches together.