“The church congregation had decided no black could be married at that church, and that if he went on to marry her, then they would vote him out the church.”
Outrage and confusion have followed media reports that a black couple planning to get married at a church in Jackson, Mississippi, were turned away because of their race. Charles and Te’Andrea Wilsonwere set to get married at First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs when some congregants successfully pushed to ban their nuptials.
The invitations were sent and the bride and groom were preparing to exchange vows — and they received the disturbing news just two days before the wedding. The pastor, Dr. Stan Weatherford, was told by congregants that no blacks could be married in the church and that, if he conducted the ceremony, he would essentially lose his position.
Although they are not members of the house of worship, the couple said that they attend regularly and, prior to the incident, they felt loved by the mostly-white church body.
