Three Louisiana Black Churches Burned in Ten Days, Authorities Cite Racial Hatred
Three historically Black churches in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, were destroyed by arson within a 10-day period in June 2026. Authorities say the fires were set by someone motivated by racial hatred. Community leaders and activists have launched fundraising efforts to rebuild.
Three historically Black churches in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, were destroyed by arson within a 10-day period in June 2026. Authorities say the fires were deliberately set by someone motivated by racial hatred.
Greater Union Baptist Church, St. Mary Baptist Church, and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church all burned to the ground. Each congregation had roots stretching back more than a century.
"A lot of people want to make it a hate thing. Well, we don't represent hate. We represent love. Togetherness. Peace. Long suffering. Hope," said Rev. Gerald Toussaint, pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, speaking to his community after the fire.
The National Urban League and other civil rights organizations condemned the attacks and called for a swift federal investigation. Activists drew attention to the contrast between the international response to the Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris and the relative quiet surrounding the destruction of these three Black churches.
In response, community organizers launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for rebuilding. The effort gained traction on social media, with donors from across the country contributing within days of the fires.
The arsons are part of a broader pattern. The FBI has reported consecutive annual increases in hate crime incidents in recent years. The National Black Church Initiative, which represents a coalition of 150,000 churches and 27.7 million members, has maintained an elevated threat level for its member congregations.
The destruction of Black churches has a long history in the United States. During the Civil Rights Movement, churches were frequent targets of white supremacist violence. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham in 1963, which killed four young girls, became a turning point in the movement.
Community leaders in St. Landry Parish say they will rebuild. "We are not going anywhere," one pastor told local reporters. "This church has stood for over 100 years, and it will stand again."
