The Westboro Baptist Church's Facebook page has not been hacked by online vigilante group Anonymous, contrary to earlier reports.

Following the church's plans to picket the funerals of the Boston Marathon bombing victims, it was reported that the hacking collective had taken over the controversial group's official social networking page, replacing its contents with a combination of images, comments and videos somewhat contrary to its views.

However, it subsequently emerged that Anonymous had set up the page parodying the Westboro Baptist Church last year, and it had only recently gained further attention in the wake of the Boston tragedy.

If #WBC protests the Boston funerals, they will have to expect us. — Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) April 15, 2013

Among the Facebook page's posts include several philosophical and peaceful quotes from the likes of Martin Luther King Jr and Peter H Reynolds.

Other posts included scripture from the Quran, photos of cute kittens and various references to internet memes.

The WBC had tweeted earlier: "Thank God for the Boston Marathon Bombs!! Westboro Baptist Church to picket funeral of those killed. #PraiseGod."

Anonymous previously attacked the WBC after church members threatened to picket the funerals of the Newtown shooting victims. Hackers took over the group's main website and published personal information.

Last month, a house in Topeka, Kansas was painted in rainbow colours - the colours of the gay pride flag - directly across from the anti-gay church.