It’s a melancholy tale that’s been repeated too many times before: a Black church becomes a target of racial violence. More than 200 years after the first recorded Black church was burned to the ground by white supremacists, another church community in Texas is picking up the crisp remnants of their spiritual home after it was set ablaze in 2024.
Shanola Hampton on What’s Next for Gabi on Season 2 of ‘Found’
The Love Tabernacle Church first moved to its current location in Paris, Texas back in 2021. Three years after continuously serving the Paris community, the Paris Fire Department (PFD) was called to the the corner of 13th NE and Center Street the evening of Sept. 29, where it found the church up in flames, according to KXII-TV.
The church was ultimately reduced to rubble, and although police say the fire is not being investigated as arson, community members have different thoughts.
Just before the building was set on fire, racist graffiti was seen spray painted on the side of the church. Racial slurs such as “We hate n******” and “Leave town N******” were written in bolded black, according to MSN. Because of this, local activists are calling for police to investigate the fire as a hate crime.
Screenshot: KXII-TV
“I’ve been doing this for over 20 years, and things don’t get better because they’re not addressed. They’re glossed over or hidden,” said Brenda Cherry, a local civil rights activist. “I’ve not known of a Black church being burned before. Not in this era, but racist graffiti – that’s a common thing.”
According to Cherry, the exact time that the graffiti was written isn’t known, but it’s probably no coincidence the church was burned down shortly afterwards. “It’s where people go to worship,” Cherry told KVII- TV. “Nobody comes here to do anything wrong. So why would anyone burn down a church? And why would anyone write racist graffiti on a church?”
It’s not just the alleged arsonists that are at fault, according to Cherry. “City officials, they need to address stuff like this, not be afraid that it’s going to lead to racial or racial tension, because we already have that,” she said. “They need to do better.”
Following the incident, the City of Paris issued a statement: “Due to the building being a church and the presence of graffiti, the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office was notified, and their assistance was requested for the investigation. The building was a total loss, and no injuries were reported. The fire is currently under investigation by state and local authorities, and no further information is available.”
Despite the loss of its church grounds, Love Tabernacle will not stop it worship services. On Facebook, the church announced, “As of now we will be led by our Pastor, and will have service online(Virtual Service) as we continue to seek Gods face for guidance and wisdom during this process.. join us Via facebook on Tuesdays at 7:00pm.”
