BOGALUSA (AP) — The pastor of Bethlehem
Baptist Church, which was totally destroyed by fire more than a week
ago, says the congregation
is not currently seeking donations.
The Rev. Christopher Matthews said requests circulating around Bogalusa are not official and may be scams. He tells The Daily
News there are no plans at this time to rebuild. Once a course of action is decided, he says it will be made public.
Bethlehem Baptist is the oldest African-American church in Bogalusa. In 1958, the congregation moved into the E. Seventh Street
church building, which burned in the early hours of Dec. 16.
The cause is still under investigation. The Louisiana fire marshal’s office has said there was no early indication of foul
play.