The GoFund Me created to rebuild the three Black historical churches in St. Landry Parish now exceeds $2 million dollars.
When the first fire occurred at St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre on March 26, authorities were uncertain if it was arson or possibly due to the electrical and the church’s age. However, when the second church, Greater Union Baptist Church, caught fire on April 2, and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church burned from a fire on April 4, authorities knew arson was at play. The last two churches are located in Opelousas, LA.
 On April 11, Holden Matthews, 21, was arrested and charged with three counts of arson, and four days later he was also charged with hate crimes. Police were able to place him at the churches with his phone, as well as they found videos of the fires in their beginning stages  and a video of him discussing the fire with a friend on his phone.
Matthews is the son of a sheriff’s deputy. His trial is set to start in September.
The creators of the GoFundMe campaign, Seventh District Baptist Association, a 149 year old non-profit religious organization, also began their fundraising on April 11. In eight days, they have now raised $2,035,127, as of this morning, with more donations continuing to come in.
In the comments, you see the sponsors sharing well wishes and the reasons why they are supporting. Seventh District Baptist Association president Freddie Jack says the money will be divided between the three churches to not only rebuild but also refurnish with things like pews and sound systems.
