DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. — Lafayette Baptist Church, a rural Kentucky congregation that dates back to the late 1800s, lost its church facility in an apparent arson attack May 20.
The fire, reportedly set early that morning, was not discovered until 9 a.m., said Pastor Morris Brown. By then, the church’s sanctuary, classrooms and fellowship hall had burned to the ground.
Police arrested and charged Jimmy Renshaw, 56, with second-degree arson. Brown said this is not the first time Renshaw allegedly has set fire to the church. Renshaw was indicted 10 years ago for setting fires in the area, including at Lafayette Baptist, according to media reports.
But those charges were dropped three years ago after Renshaw spent several years in mental-health facilities and was ruled incompetent to stand trial.
Share with others: