Before Daniel Myrick came to Burkittesville, the Ceres Bethel AME Church was known as an important part of the area's black history, having been built in 1870 by freed slaves. But after Myrick left, the church would have a new significance - it would become the "Blair Witch church".

The wooden two-room church has been a victim of 20 years of neglect and four years of vandalism. Fans of "The Blair Witch Project" are drawn to the landmark, even though most of the movie was filmed somewhere else. Today, it's littered with beer cans, remnants of past parties, and even an occasional abandoned Ouija board.

Preservationists are seeking a $45,000 grant to restore the chapel to its former state. Before it closed in 1984, the church was the site of weddings and funerals - not parties and spirit summonings. Locals want to remember the chapel's pre-Blair importance. "It's an important part of Burkittsville's history, and it's important to keep around," said Connie Stapleton.

Source: WBAL-TV [1]