Editor’s note: Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr. issued the following statement.
During the early hours of Sunday, Sept. 11, a fast moving fire ripped through a longtime pillar of the South L.A. community, Victory Baptist Church in Council District 9. The Los Angeles Fire Department’s House of Worship Task Force and Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section are working together to conduct the fire-cause investigation, which remains active.
I want Pastor W. Edward Jenkins and the entire congregation to remember that out of the ashes, Victory Baptist Church will rise once again and Team Price will be right by their side during their time of need. To assist, my office will help to coordinate a task force made up of City Departments to identify possible resources and services that may be available to them. In addition, I have secured $50,000 in discretionary funds to disperse to the Victory Community Foundation to jump-start recovery efforts.
The deep roots of the church carries great personal and historical significance to our neighborhoods. During the 1960’s, civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King, Jr., visited the church and over the years, it has continued to be a source of hope, inspiration and strength. During this dark hour, we will do our best to deliver the same care and compassion to Victory Baptist Church as they have done for our neighbors for more than seven decades through their many programs, including weekly food distributions, holiday giveaways, youth development and much more.
I also want to express my gratitude to the incredible members of our fire department for their bravery and heroic actions, and sending a special prayer for the three firefighters that were injured during the blaze. Your sacrifice to Angelenos day-in and day-out is without question, honorable.
