Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) — A large cross has disappeared from the wreckage of an African American church in Louisiana that was burned down in an arson case.
News outlets report the white fiberglass cross belonged to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas. It was one of three historic churches set ablaze in arson attacks earlier this year.
The Rev. Gerald Toussaint told The Acadiana Advocate he noticed the cross was missing Friday after a meeting with architect Stephen Juan Ortego.
Ortego says the congregation wanted to use the cross as a relic of the destroyed church. On Facebook , Ortego asked anyone with information to message him.
Toussaint says he's hesitant to file a report because it might be a "fruitless effort."
Holden Matthews was indicted in June on federal arson and hate crimes charges.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
