June 29, 2015

6 Southern Black churches burned in last two weeks

Pastor Bobby Jones points to the cross on top of Glover Grove Baptist Church, where he has preached for more than 30 years. The steeple was one of the only parts of the church left standing. Will Huntsberry/NPR — Pastor Bobby Jones points to the cross on top of Glover Grove Baptist Church, where he has preached for more than 30 years. The steeple was one of the only parts of the church left standing. *(Image: Will Huntsberry/NPR)*

Glover Grove Baptist Church is nestled in a woody, quiet part of Warrenville, S.C., surrounded by trailer homes and old cars. The congregation is small, about 35 people, according to local reports. You have to look hard online just to find a phone number or an address.

Hours before President Obama spoke to a packed house in Charleston last Friday in another black church, delivering the eulogy for state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, Glover Grove Baptist Church burned to the ground.

It is one of at least six black church burnings in the South, all of which have taken place in the week-and-a-half since nine people were killed in Emanuel AME Church.

Read more at NPR.