Hells Church

Haunted History of Hell’s Church (New Hightower Baptist Church)

Historical Background

Tucked deep in the woods of Canton, Georgia, New Hightower Baptist Church—better known by its sinister nickname Hell’s Church—has stood for well over a century. Founded in the late 1800s, the church began as a small log-cabin congregation serving the rural community near Shoal Creek Road. The surrounding cemetery dates back to around 1890, holding generations of local families.

Over time, the church became isolated as modern development bypassed the area. Its lonely position and aging structures gave it an eerie stillness that would later fuel dark rumors. In 1990, tragedy struck when the church was vandalized and set on fire by a young man claiming vengeance for his father’s death. The charred remains were eventually restored, but that violent act left a stain on the church’s history—one that still lingers in the local imagination.

The Legends and Alleged Hauntings

Stories surrounding Hell’s Church have swirled for decades. Locals whisper of ghostly organ music drifting from the sanctuary late at night, even when the building is locked and empty. Others claim to have seen glowing orbs or shadowy figures moving among the headstones in the cemetery. Sudden drops in temperature and the feeling of being watched are among the most commonly reported experiences.

The church’s most infamous rumor is tied to a nearby tree known as the “Hanging Tree” or “Bleeding Tree.” Tales suggest that dark rituals, sacrifices, or hangings once occurred beneath its branches, though there is no historical evidence to confirm such events. Another widely repeated story involves the alleged discovery of a boy’s body on the property during the 1980s—again, a claim unsupported by records but deeply rooted in local lore.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the site became a late-night hangout for teenagers and thrill-seekers, which likely helped spread and exaggerate the stories. Strange noises, lights, and laughter from these nighttime visitors may have evolved into legends of the supernatural.

The Truth Behind the Fear

Despite numerous claims, no solid paranormal evidence has ever been documented at Hell’s Church. Paranormal investigators who have visited the site describe it as eerie but not necessarily haunted. Much of its reputation stems from its setting: a lonely, aging church surrounded by dense woods and weathered gravestones—a perfect canvas for the imagination.

Still, for many who visit, the sense of unease is real. The history of arson, the isolation of the grounds, and the heavy silence that settles over the area after dark combine to give Hell’s Church an atmosphere that feels otherworldly.

Visiting Notes

Hell’s Church and its cemetery remain active and should be treated with respect. The roads leading there are narrow and unlit, making nighttime visits dangerous and discouraged. For those drawn to explore Georgia’s haunted folklore, New Hightower Baptist Church stands as one of the state’s most enduring ghost legends—a place where the line between history and haunting blurs in the shadows of its past.