Staff Report

Lafayette Daily Advertiser

A number of people and businesses have stepped up to help to raise money for three predominantly black St. Landry churches destroyed by fire.

Authorities arrested Holden Matthews, a 21-year-old son of a St. Landry Sheriff's deputy from Opelousas, last week on arson charges. On Monday, three hate crime charges were added.

Read more:Congregations come together in faith following church fires

There are ways to help the churches raise money to rebuild. Bob Giles, whose auto dealerships are located in Opelousas and Lafayette, said last week he will match donations up to $50,000 in an account that has been created at IberiaBank locations.

Additionally, IberiaBank announced a $6,000 donation to help rebuild the three churches.

Former New Orleans Saints tight end Ben Watson has been encouraging others to contribute to help the churches.

"It is imperative that we show this community and the entire country that these types of acts do not represent who we are," Watson tweeted over the weekend. "And most importantly as the body of Christ, we suffer alongside our brothers and sisters whenever tragedy, persecution or loss happens."

The three churches burned in 10 days — St. Mary Baptist Church, Greater Union Baptist Church and Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church — have a gofundme.com site where donations are being accepted, which can be found searching for Seventh District Baptist Church Fires St. Landry. They have raised nearly $50,000 of the $1.8 million goal, as of Sunday.

Donations also can be mailed to:

Seventh District Baptist Association

Seventh District

P.O. Box 281

Ville Platte, LA

Read More on St. Landry Parish Churches lost in fire: