Mississippi

Mississippi Church Fighting Coronavirus Restrictions Burned to the Ground

"Bet you stay home now you hypokrits" was written in parking lot at church that had sued the city over its public health orders

In this photo provided by the Marshall County Sheriff's Office, embers smolder on the remains of the First Pentecostal Church in Holly Springs, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
Major Kelly McMillen/Marshall County Sheriff's Office via AP

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said he's "heartbroken and furious" after a fire this week at a church that has challenged coronavirus restrictions. The fire is being investigated as arson, NBC News reports.

The fire Wednesday in Holly Springs destroyed the First Pentecostal Church, and investigators found graffiti in the church parking lot that reads, "Bet you stay home now you hypokrits," NBC affiliate WMC of Memphis reported.

The church was "burned to the ground" and had been trying to open services, Reeves tweeted Thursday.

First Pentecostal filed a lawsuit last month against the city over its public health order on in-person worship services, the station reported. The lawsuit deals with alleged police disruption of a Bible study and Easter service.

Read the full story on NBCNews.com

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