The First Baptist Church of Jasper welcomed a rather unconventional guest to its front steps Sunday evening – a young black bear who apparently didn’t get the memo about service times. He – or she – was spotted strolling across the portico of the East Church Street church around 7:30 p.m. looking like a latecomer to service trying to figure out which door to use.
Whether he was seeking sanctuary, snacks or just a shortcut through downtown, the bear didn’t linger long before heading off towards South Main Street to a private pond.
