Black church

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Black churches primarily arose in the 19th century, during a time when race-based slavery and racial segregation were both commonly practiced in the United States. Blacks generally searched for an area where they could independently express their faith, find leadership, and escape from inferior treatment in White dominated churches. The Black Church (sometimes termed Black Christianity or African American Christianity) is the faith and body of Christian denominations and congregations in the United States that predominantly minister to, and are also led by African Americans, as well as these churches' collective traditions and members. The term "black church" may also refer to individual congregations, including congregations in traditionally white-led denominations.

In many African American houses, the concept of "the Church" is often seen as being synonymous with the congregation of people who gather to worship, rather than the physical building where the service is held. This distinction reflects a deep cultural emphasis on community and shared spiritual experience.^[1] For African Americans, "the Church" is a dynamic, living body of believers whose collective faith and fellowship are central, regardless of the physical space.^[2]

In contrast, in many other cultures, the term "the Church" may commonly be used in reference to the actual structure or building where religious services take place, emphasizing the sacredness of the physical space.^[3] This difference highlights the unique cultural and historical significance that the African American community places on the act of gathering and the people themselves, rather than the location.^[4]

The number of Black churches in the United States is substantial. According to the Pew Research Center, there are approximately 25,000 Black churches across the country, encompassing a wide range of denominations and independent congregations (Pew Research Center, 2021)^[5]

A majority of African American congregations are affiliated with Protestant denominations, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), or the National Baptist Convention and related churches, some of them are affiliated with predominantly white Protestant denominations such as the United Church of Christ (which developed from the Congregational Church of New England), integrated denominations such as the Church of God, others are independent congregations.^[6][7] There are also Black Catholic churches.^[8]

In many major cities, Black and predominantly white churches often exist within close proximity to each other, however, they remain segregated by race, a division which was shaped by deep historical, cultural, and social factors, including racism. During the eras of slavery and segregation, African Americans were largely excluded from white churches, which often upheld racial hierarchies and discrimination.^[9] This exclusion led to the creation of Black churches, which became vital spaces for community support, activism, and spiritual freedom.^[10][11]

Even after formal segregation ended, white churches frequently resisted integration, preferring to maintain homogenous congregations. The legacy of this form of racism continues to influence the separation of Black and white churches today, because white churches have historically failed to adequately address racial injustice, and as a result, many Black congregants have searched for worship environments where their cultural and spiritual needs are met without prejudice.^[12] Despite some efforts at integration, racism, in both the past and the present, remains a significant factor in the ongoing divide between Black and white congregations.

There are also cultural differences that influence how Black and white congregants who are members of the same denomination practice their religion. One example would be in Baptist congregations, and three key ways in which they practice their faith differently are:

1. Worship Style: Black Baptist churches tend to have more expressive and emotive worship services, often characterized by call-and-response preaching, gospel music, and dynamic participation from the congregation. White Baptist services are often more structured, with a greater focus on hymns, sermons, and quieter forms of worship.^[10][13]
2. Sermon Focus: In Black Baptist churches, sermons often emphasize themes of liberation, justice, and survival, reflecting the historical and ongoing struggles of African Americans.^[14] White Baptist sermons typically focus more on individual salvation, personal morality, and traditional doctrinal teachings.^[15]
3. Role of the Church in Community: Black Baptist churches often play a central role in social activism and community leadership, addressing racial and economic justice issues. White Baptist churches may be more focused on spiritual development and personal faith, with less emphasis on direct social or political engagement within the community.^[16]

In communities where black and white people worshiped together in the South shortly after the American Civil War, the persecution of African Americans was less severe. Yet, freed blacks most often established congregations and church facilities separate from their white neighbors, who were often their former owners. In the Roman Catholic Church, the rising tide of segregation eventually resulted in segregated parishes across the South, even in places where segregation had not previously been the norm.^[17]

These new black churches created communities and worship practices that were culturally distinct from other churches, including forms of Christian worship that were derived from African spiritual traditions, such as call and response. These churches also became the centers of communities, serving as training grounds for community leaders, and serving as school sites, taking up social welfare functions such as providing money and essential services to the indigent, and establishing orphanages and prison ministries. As a result, black churches were particularly important during the Civil Rights movement.^[18][19][20]