Man sentenced to over nine years for burning church in Missouri

In April 2021, a fire destroyed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Christopher Scott Pritchard, 49, admitted in federal court to committing arson that led to the church's destruction. The church officials noted that damage from the fire totaled nearly $7 million. During the legal proceedings, Pritchard pleaded guilty to a felony count of arson and another count of arson to a building used in interstate commerce, which carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence. Following this, U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp sentenced Pritchard to nine years and three months in prison, along with a substantial financial restitution order. Prior to the fire, evidence showed that Pritchard had threatened to burn the church down and assaulted a church bishop. Law enforcement later found over $1,000 worth of church property, as well as items in Pritchard's possession that indicated his involvement in the crime. The investigation also revealed he smelled of smoke when apprehended. Meanwhile, the incident had far-reaching consequences for the local community, as much of the church's structure and history were lost, deeply impacting its attendees and the surrounding area. In a separate, related incident, another church fire in Memphis, Tennessee, was also identified as being intentionally set. The historic Clayborn Temple served as the headquarters during a civil rights sanitation workers' strike in 1968, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Investigators stated that the fire, which occurred while the church was undergoing renovations, caused significant damage but could have implications for the church's future as a community resource. The significance of the Clayborn Temple is deeply rooted in the civil rights movement and its role as a place for empowerment and activism. As local officials work to uncover more details about the fires, community leaders are expressing their commitment to preserving church histories and continuing their contributions to civil rights and social justice. This overall trend of church fires, particularly those with historical significance, raises questions about targeted attacks on churches and the implications of their intersection with social movements.