Clergy Takes No Chances with Legacy From Closed Porn Shop

BAKERSFILED, Calif.—The opening and closing of adult entertainment businesses is often an occasion for celebration: by business owners for openings, and by city officials and nosy neighbors for closings. But in Bakersfield, Calif., the local clergy are not taking any chances that the closure of the Wildcat adult book store after 25 years at the same Chester Avenue location is the end of the story. Just to make sure no evil spirits are lingering about, at least five local clergy insisted on being present last Thursday during an event put on by the San Joaquin Community Hospital, which last year purchased the nearby land and building where the Wildcat had stood for so long. “As a faith-based hospital, SJCH's mission is to share God's love with our community by providing physical, mental and spiritual healing," the hospital said in a news release. "The presence of the Wildcat across from the hospital campus has, for many years, stood in direct opposition with that mission." In fact, the purchase was made precisely to close down the Wildcat, according to San Joaquin President and Chief Executive Robert J. Beehler. Considering the reason for the purchase, it may come as no surprise that so many clergy want to make sure that the money was not wasted, and that the location is free from evil porn spirits. According to Bakersfield.com, attending clergy included “Kevin Rhamie, pastor at Southside Seventh-day Adventist; Tom Touchstone, pastor at Valley Bible Fellowship; Steve Yeary, pastor at Brimhall Road Assembly of God; Howard Silver, acting rabbi at Congregation B'nai Jacob; and Monsignor Michael Braun, of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.” The rabbi, meanwhile, told the news outlet beforehand that he would not be blessing the site so much as giving thanks for its new role providing medical care to people in the area, saying, "I just want to thank God for our ability to help people who are in need.”