A special blessing service was held Saturday at the Graham home where Josh Powell killed his two sons and himself.

Several people, including local pastors and residents, gathered at the site to say their prayers for Charlie and Braden Powell, and the site itself.

During the service, water was blessed by Rev. Chris Morton of the Associated Ministries, and sprinkled on the fence to cleanse the site.

“Our prayer is with this water that it will bring cleansing to this place and to our hearts and to our souls,” said Morton.

Associated Ministries sponsored the event and Rev. Heidi Calhoun also gave a prayer.

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“This place that causes us fear and pain we are reclaiming as a place of hope,” Calhoun said.

The ministries were alerted prior to the boys’ funeral after hearing a the demonstration by Wesboro Baptist Church. Since the church called off the protest, Associated Ministries said mourners could attend Saturday’s blessing.

Not only were the boys remembered during the blessing, but the boys’ mother, Susan Powell, was in others’ thoughts.

“We fully believe that Susan Powell is a victim of domestic violence,” said Miriam Barnett of the Pierce County YWCA. “And these children were killed in their home by their dad, which is another form of domestic violence.”

Investigators left the site of the burned house as is, and memorial has grown with flowers and toys for the Powell boys.