Over 1.2 million dollars has been raised for the burned St. Landry churches on a GoFundMe page that’s seen a surge in donations since a fire tore through the Notre Dame in Paris.
Seventh District Missionary Baptist Association President Freddie Jack says the historic congregations are hoping for help from their insurance, but one of them is looking at some heavy costs.
“They had renovated about thee or four years back, and were still paying for the renovations that they did. Now they have the burden of paying for the mortgage they owe, and starting all over or rebuilding.”
The page has been shared by national figures like Hillary Clinton, and Katie Couric.
The Pastor noted the historic majority black congregations have deep roots in the community, some of which go back over a century.
“It’s not the actual building itself, but the church. One is 120+ years old, because it had been organized that long ago.”
21-year-old Holden Matthews is accused of burning the churches in a racially motivated attack.
Jack says the effort is much appreciated, and the congregations are taking the tragedy in stride while they figure out how to get back into their old homes.
“They are handling it really well. They had relocated to different sites, temporary sites, until they can get their buildings back, and are in good spirits.”
You can find the fund by searching Seventh District Baptist Church Fires on GoFundMe.
https://www.gofundme.com/church-fires-st-landry-parishmacedonia-ministry?member=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2Binvitesupporters
