CRYSTAL SPRINGS, Miss. — First Baptist Church, Crystal Springs, Miss., has publicly apologized after an African-American couple was barred because of their race from holding their wedding at the predominantly white church.
“Both the pastor and those involved in the wedding location being changed have expressed their regrets and sorrow for their actions. This wrong decision resulted in hurt and sadness for everyone,” the church said in a statement read at the end of its Aug. 5 worship service and posted on its website.
The congregation drew negative publicity when Pastor Stan Weatherford told the couple he could not perform their wedding at the 150-year-old church because a few members objected to blacks being married there. Instead Weatherford married Charles and Te’Andrea (Henderson) Wilson at a nearby African-American church.
“We are seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with our Lord Jesus Christ, Te’Andrea and Charles, family and friends of the Hendersons and Wilsons, our church family and our community for the actions and attitudes that have recently occurred,” the church said, one week after town leaders, other First Baptist members and various observers expressed outrage.
“We the membership of First Baptist Church, Crystal Springs, hold the position that we should be open to all people. Our desire is to restore the church to be a spiritual lighthouse in doing the Lord’s will in Crystal Springs and in Mississippi,” the church said.
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