4 powerful reactions to the Notre Dame fire: Relics saved, $1 billion in donations pledged

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Saturday, April 27, 2019

Other churches benefit

A collage of the three historically black churches in Louisiana that were burnt to the ground between March and April 2019. | GoFundMe

Across the Atlantic, three historically African American churches based in Louisiana were burned in less than two weeks by a serial arsonist.

Since the incidents, Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Opelousas, St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre, and Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas have received approximately $2.1 million in donations for repairs, in part by people using the Notre Dame fire to bring attention.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was among those who helped spread the word about the GoFundMe page created on behalf of the three churches.

“As we hold Paris in our thoughts today, let’s also send some love to our neighbors in Louisiana. Three historically black churches have burned in recent weeks, charring buildings and scattering communities,” tweeted Clinton, including the link to the donation page.