Smoke Over Mississippi
Diocesan Press Service. February 8, 1965 [XXIX-9]
"... to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning; the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." (Isa. 61: 3)
On June 15, 1964, a seemingly systematic, demonic, devastating chain of events began with the burning of Rosary Catholic Mission Parish Hall, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Over the months, 38 Negro churches and church buildings, only a handful actually used for civil rights activities, have been totally or partially destroyed by fire or bombing.
It is not possible to positively identify the individuals or groups (or their motives) who perpetuate this wanton violence. However, in A Report of Friends Visitation Among the Burned Churches of Mississippi by Ross Flanagan the following speculations were made:
"...Obviously one consequence of this wide-spread destruction of rural Negro churches has been to prevent their possible use as future freedom schools or bases of Civil Rights activity. At the same time their systematic destruction has served to intimidate a number of other Negro congregations and communities throughout the state from identifying themselves in any way with Civil Rights activity.
"But most important, perhaps, has been the oppressing effect of the church burnings upon the emotional state of the Mississippi Negro. For whether intended or not, the cumulative psychological effect of this relentless burning of one church after another, without hope of justice or relief, has been to push the Mississippi Negro's face -- his self-respect and dignity -- back into the mud with the reminder that in Mississippi the white man can do anything he wants to the black man with impunity..."
Most of the buildings were small, rural, one-room, woodframe churches. One brick church was only two years old and others had been recently refurnished with new benches, electric fans, hymn books or a piano.
Shocked by this devastation, on August 6 an editorial appeared in The Baptist Record, official journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (its masthead bears the legend 'Largest Circulation of Any Newspaper of Any Kind in Mississippi'). In asserting its view the editorial said: "Mississippians of both races are deeply distressed by these tragic events. They know that the burning of Negro church buildings is not going to resolve the racial tensions which now exist in the state, nor bring solution to a single Civil Rights problem. Indeed, these fires may do as much to prevent harmonious solution of the problems as anything that can happen... that is why these atrocious acts, whoever may be responsible for them, are clearly condemned by every right thinking citizen, and certainly, by every Christian in the state."
This brought a flood of inquiries from concerned churchmen asking how they might help. The Baptist Record, a week later, announced that Dr. William P. Davis, Secretary of Mississippi Baptists' Negro Work Department, was to serve as administrator for a newly created "Negro Church Rebuilding Fund. " Following the Baptists' lead, editorials and articles soon began to appear in other denominational publications such as The Mississippi Methodist Advocate and The Mississippi Catholic Register.
A month later, 23 Mississippi church leaders representing nine denominations (Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant, both white and Negro) formed the Mississippi Committee of Concern.
The Committee has declared its intention of helping any Mississippi church known to have been damaged or destroyed by violence regardless of its location, denomination, or involvement in civil rights activity.
With the Baptists' initiative and continuing leadership, the Committee of Concern has the necessary public approval and community respect as well as direct contact with key Negro religious leaders in the state. From a group of religious and civic leaders in Jackson, the Committee has gained much of its concern for keeping sensitive to the needs and desires of the dispossessed congregations themselves and for trying to involve the white community in more meaningful contact and cooperation with the Negro community in the church rebuilding effort.
Dr. Davis serves as chairman of the committee and the Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, is a member of the executive committee.
Dr. Davis noted, "Since October 5, 1964, contributions have been received from individuals, groups, classes, seminaries, college organizations, synagogues, churches, associations, and committees representing all states of the nation and the following foreign countries: Switzerland, Mexico, Canada, Peru, Brazil, Italy, and Puerto Rico. Total amount received through February 1, 1965, is $53, 000. Mississippians contributed over half of this amount. The smallest gift (seven cents) came from a five year old child and the largest ($5,000.00) from the Episcopal Church. Jews have contributed ten percent of the total and Negroes $4,500. 00. Some material, equipment, musical instruments, choir robes and furniture have been donated.
"We have under construction fifteen of the thirty-eight burned or bombed churches. Three of these should be completed by the first of February. Dedicatory services were held at Christian Union Baptist Church, Tougaloo, Mississippi, January 24. We hope to rebuild all of the churches -- to this we are dedicated. To do this we must have an additional $150,000 or $200,000. Completing the buildings is one thing and furnishing them is another. We shall need additional money to buy furniture, fixtures, and other equipment".
Correspondence should be addressed to the Committee of Concern, P.O. Box 530, Jackson, Miss.