My Grandparents Church

My grandparents church burned on January 1st this year. The originally ruled it as an accident (i.e., possible wiring issues from the Christmas Tree). Since then nine other churches have been burned as well which were ruled as arson within the surrounding areas (East Texas). There was additionally 3 attempted break ins. They recently discovered through the investigation and an idiotic move on one of the culprits (see article below) that it was arson not an accident that started the fire at Little Hope Baptist Church (ie, my grandparents church).

Little Hope was the first church I ever went to. My mom & dad were married there and most of my cousins as well. My grandaddie & other family members helped build the church. The church as well as the others I am sure was rich in history. Two people for what ever reason destroyed a beloved place, but they can't destroy the members faith.

I find myself in mourning for a place that helped build my first foundation in faith. I will be forever grateful for the experiences that I had there. I am amazed once again by my grandparents example as they rally as a community and open their home and the community center to be able to have their church meetings. This has brought them closer together with their church community.

My grandparents are amazing people. They continually serve the Lord, their family, and the community. Growing up they were the one place I could go to when the rest of the world seemed confusing and difficult. I always knew that I was in their prayers. This in itself was a strength and a blessing in my life. Even better I get to share them with my children and watch my grandparents shower the love that I treasure with them.



Search warrant reveals arson suspect activity at Tyler store

By Taylor Hemness - bio | email

The first fire, January 1, at Little Hope Baptist Church in Canton, was originally believed to be electrical.

That all changed after authorities were able to determine that hymnals and other materials had been stacked around the piano, and set on fire.

Video surveillance also helped to connect this fire to the others. On February 13, Jason Bourque went to Atwood's in Tyler. Cameras showed Bourque go into the men's room. Later that day, another customer saw a carving in a stall saying "Little Hope was arson," and an upside down cross with flames. That carving was not there the day before.

Then there were three more pieces of information in the search warrant that described how some fires were started.

On January 12, hymnals were stacked in several spots, including the baptistery and the choir loft, to start the fire at Lake Athens Baptist.

On the 17th, hymnals were stacked around the organ near the reader's lectern at First Church of Christ Scientist in Tyler.

And on the 20th, combustible materials were used to start a fire in a closet at Prairie Creek Fellowship in Lindale. There was also DNA recovered from a brick at the church.

That same DNA was found on a rock from the fire at Russell United Methodist Church that happened on February 4.

During the press conference announcing the arrests, ATF investigators said that DNA evidence was used to connect one of the suspects.

According to the search warrant, authorities collected DNA from Daniel McAllister yesterday morning.

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