A St. Patrick Catholic Church service, with a focus on prayers of deliverance in anticipation of the Franklin Business & Retail Association’s Witch Walk, took place without incident on Saturday afternoon.
Concern had centered on possible fallout after a social media post by the church, which voiced strong opposition to the Witch Walk, garnered much negative reaction. That concern prompted the church to enlist the services of the Warren-based security agency Security Force Group.
Security guard and company owner Ron Carrington said he and two members of his staff were at the Franklin church more than an hour before the service began at 3 p.m. All was quiet inside and outside the church during the hourlong service, which was attended by between 130 and 150 people.
Jennifer Taylor, the Franklin Business & Retail Association’s administrator, and Stephanie Felmlee, the association’s president, both said the people who attend Witch Walk are only interested in participating in the event, supporting the downtown businesses and having a good time, and that this year’s event was a success.
