Robert LeBlanc

Robert LeBlanc

GLORYLAND

PU Textured leather hardcover
18.5 x 13 cm
378 pages
Bible Replica
First Setanta edition (2023)

About the Book:

West Virginia and the Appalachian Mountains have an allure about them that is almost impossible to ignore. The country is rugged and so are the individuals who inhabit these mountains. As you ascend into the deep mountain of Appalachia, the roads begin to wind almost unimaginably. Then small towns start to pop up, not more than 1/2 mile in length alongside Route 16. For every ten homes there seems to be a church, affirming that the presence of religion is strong and deeply rooted in these mountains.

A small church by the name “The House of The Lord Jesus” sits on the side of the road in the quiet and humble town of Squire, with a population of fewer than 300 people. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think it’s just like all the other churches you pass. This Holiness church practices what is called “signs following.” The church is small and is run by pastor Chris Wolford.

As you walk down the center of the church you see women laying on their knees bent over the pews praying and crying before the service begins. The sound of rattlesnake rattlers fill the air and multiple boxes are laid out behind the pulpit, while the guitar begins to blair over the speakers at full volume. The energy is so palpable it makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up and the feeling is almost unexplainable.

There is death in this, as well as a lot of suffering for the church and this whole region of West Virginia. But you come to understand why the Appalachians have this mystic quality. They’re full of love and compassion...you just have to sift through all the coal dust to find it.

Welcome to GLORYLAND.

Book review by Dana Stirling |

GLORYLAND is a hauntingly vivid portrayal of the last remaining serpent-handling church in West Virginia, set against the rugged, mystical backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains. The book takes readers on a journey deep into the heart of Appalachia, offering a rare glimpse into an old, mystic religious tradition that clings to the edge of extinction.

The book follows the people who create this community but on the same note also follows the landscape within this story takes place. This place, filled with rich history and culture is as much a part of the story as the people who inhabit it. The landscape mirrors the resilience of the church members, where religion is deeply rooted the land around them.

At the center of the book is “The House of The Lord Jesus,” a Holiness church that practices "signs following"—a tradition marked by handling serpents, drinking poison, and enduring fire, all in the name of faith. Snake handling in Alabama is primarily practiced by members of the Church of God with Signs Following, which interprets biblical passages literally. The practice gained popularity in the early 20th century but is now outlawed in the state, although it likely continues secretly. Despite its dangerous and controversial nature, snake handling remains a small, isolated tradition with deep roots in Appalachian religious autonomy, though it has been stereotyped and sensationalized in popular culture.

The energy radiating from the images captures what I can only imagine mirrors the electric intensity of the worship itself, where the rattle of snakes and gospel music intertwine. The images evoke a sense of darkness yet remain undeniably compelling, reflecting not only the emotional weight of this faith but perhaps the complexity of religious experience as a whole.

The images carefully balance the exoticism of serpent-handling with a deep respect for the people who practice it, offering more than just a sensational account of a dying tradition. The book delves into the emotional and spiritual complexities that drive these individuals, portraying their rituals as acts of both defiance and profound belief. There is a sense of impending loss woven throughout, as the church’s existence hangs by a thread in a world that is rapidly changing. We are captivated by their practice as it is far removed from what most of us know or assume. 

As a Jewish person myself, I feel even more distanced from this subject, lacking even a basic connection to Christianity. Viewing these images from the perspective of an outsider, I find myself both captivated and alienated, as if observing a world inhabited by strangers. It's this very sense of otherness, I believe, that makes the book so compelling—it pulls you in while reminding you how far you are.

This book is also a portrait of America—a country so vast that it feels like a collection of thousands of subcultures. Each state, region, and even city has its own identity, often wildly different from the next. This is a rare glimpse into one of these subcultures that many of us may never encounter or even know exists. It’s crucial to understand and witness the lives of others, even when we may not agree with or fully comprehend their worldview. At its heart, this is a story of people, how they see the world, and their connection to the divine through the unique landscape they call home.

Lastly, I want to highlight the powerful creative choice in the book’s design—it looks and feels like a Bible, a sacred text. This visual coding signals that this isn’t just a typical book; it carries the weight of something with a higher purpose, meant to be handled with reverence. The decision to structure it this way feels not only inevitable but profoundly fitting. The images and text are tightly woven, bold, and almost overwhelming, mirroring the intensity of the rituals and beliefs depicted within. As you turn the pages, it’s not just a visual experience; it prompts reflection and challenges your beliefs. It asks you to confront what you believe, reaffirm what you don’t, and perhaps, serves as a metaphor or guide for how to navigate life—much like the Bible itself does.

Curtesy of the artist’s website