Possible arson stops reopening of black church

CYPREMORT, La. — March 12 was the day 100 former members of Mount Olive Baptist Church near Cypremort Point planned to gather for their first service since the church closed its doors five years ago.

However, an arsonist set fire to the African-American church late March 9, burning the building completely, said Xavier Joshua, pastor of the Mount Olive congregation.

Joshua and others began renovating the church building last November. Four weeks ago, volunteers from Mississippi, Alabama and Illinois arrived to help. Only one day of work remained when the church was burned, Joshua said. Because the building’s new wiring was not complete, he said, the fire couldn’t have been accidental.

“We’re downhearted and brokenhearted,” said Bobby Hodnett, pastor of Little Pass Baptist Church in Charenton, La., the sponsoring church of Mount Olive. “We need prayer right now.”