Sunday service unites parishioners after three historic black churches go up in flames
Firefighters and fire investigators respond to a fire at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas, Louisiana, on April 4, 2019.Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings.OPELOUSAS, La. — Tears came to Pastor Gerald Toussaint’s eyes as he looked at what was left of his 145 year old church on Sunday.
A fourth church burned about 200 miles away in Caddo Parish, Louisiana. Authorities don’t believe that fire is connected to the three in St. Landry Parish but are continuing to investigate. Greater Union Baptist Church was the second of the 3 churches to burn down in St. Landry parish. All three churches were well over a hundred years old.During the civil rights era, the burning of black churches was used as an intimidation tactic — both towards individuals and communities collectively.
Mount Pleasant Church's congregation was invited to attend services at the Morning Star Baptist Church on April 7, 2019.“Let them know we’ll keep praying with a building or without a building,” said Morning Star Deacon Curtis Zachary, 46. “You can burn a building, but you can’t take us, can’t break us.”
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Suspicious’ fires destroy three black churches in 10 days in Louisiana parishThe state's top fire investigator said Thursday that they’ve discovered several “patterns” at the three crime scenes.
Read more »
Suspicious blazes destroy three predominantly black Louisiana churchesFederal and state officials in Louisiana are investigating suspicious fires that...
Read more »
Suspicious fires consume 3 black churches in 10 days in a Louisiana parishCNN News, delivered. Select from our newsletters below and enter your email to subscribe.
Read more »
Authorities investigating fires at historically black Louisiana churches'There is clearly something happening in this community.' Investigators in Louisiana are working to determine whether several fires at historically black churches are connected.
Read more »
Trump suddenly pulls ICE nominee to go with someone 'tougher'President Donald Trump is pulling the nomination of Ron Vitiello to lead US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying he wants to go in a 'tougher direction' -- a move that came at the urging of White House senior adviser Stephen Miller.
Read more »
Chicago to elect first black woman mayor as voters go to pollsLori Lightfoot, an openly gay former federal prosecutor, has never held elected office; Toni Preckwinkle served on the City Council for 19 years before becoming Cook County Board president.
Read more »
How Bryce Harper went from ‘I’m going to be a National’ to ‘We’re going to Philly’Three months ago, outfielder figured he’d spend his career in Washington. He returns as a visitor Tuesday, and ‘It’s definitely going to be weird.’
Read more »