US church says no to marriage of black couple

A Mississippi couple says the church where they planned to get married turned them away because they are black.

The couples dream of exchanging vows at a church they had been attending in Mississippi fell apart when they were turned away by the predominately-white church due to their skin colour,a US media report said.

The pastor of First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs in Crystal Springs,Mississippi,cancelled Charles and TeAndrea Wilsons planned wedding one day before the ceremony,arguing that the church had never hosted black couples since it was opened in 1883.

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According to Pastor Stan Weatherford,some church members objected strongly against breaking that precedent. They threatened to oust him from his pastorship,ABCs affiliate WAPT-TV reported.

Charles and TeAndrea Wilson said it was devastating having to move their wedding to another church only days before the July 21 wedding. My 9-year-old was going to the church with us. How would you say to your 9-year-old daughter,We cannot get married here because,guess what sweetie,were black, Charles Wilson told WAPT-TV.

While the Wilsons were not members of the church,they often attended services there.

TeAndreas uncle is an employee of the church and her father is a member. Charles Wilson told WAPT that the couple had planned to join as members after their wedding.

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Weatherford conducted the marriage of the couple later at another church.