St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre, located about six miles southeast of Greater Union, burned first on March 26. Greater Union Baptist was set ablaze on April 2.

The church, which was set ablaze in 2019 by Holden Matthews, a man who also targeted two other predominantly Black churches in St. Landry Parish, is now rebuilt, stronger than ever.

The newly finished Greater Union Baptist Church during the Rededication Celebration of on Sunday, February 2, 2025 in Opelousas, La.. The church was burned down by arsonist Holden Matthews in 2019.

Philadelphia Union soccer fan Abe Gitterman, center, with his children, pays Calvary Baptist Church member Lisa Lewis, left, a fee for parking at the church lot in Chester, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 7, ...

OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) – Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas is finally making a comeback after convicted arsonist, Holden Matthews, burned it and two other historically black churches in 2019.

In March of 2019, tragedy struck the Greater Union Baptist Church when a devastating fire engulfed the building. Fortunately, no one was inside at the time.

Union Baptist continues to strive during difficult times. The South Philadelphia church located at 1910 Fitzwater Street, held its Sunday service virtually through Zoom. Led by its pastor, the Rev.

Union Baptist Church in Silsbee is getting a much needed new home with the aid of Volunteer Christian Builders, a national non-profit organization whose ministry is simply to “build for Christ.” ...

For decades, the people of Union Baptist Church – a church founded in 1831 by 14 African American Cincinnatians looking for their own religious home – have been struggling to deal with ...