Police were called to a Mississippi church Thursday afternoon after a suspicious package and a note that referenced a bomb was found, authorities said.

Deputies with the Alcorn County Sheriff’s Office said they were called to the Pleasant Hill Methodist Church on County Road 614 at approximately 1:30 p.m. after a person there reported finding a suspicious package at the church.

“The note made reference to a possible explosive device,” Alcorn County Sheriff Ben Caldwell said. “We have closed CR 614 and evacuated residents in the area of the church.”

The Tupelo Police Department bomb squad has been notified and they are responding to the area to assist with the investigation.