Black Church Beginnings: The Long-Hidden Realities of the First Years

By Henry H. Mitchell

Black Church Beginnings provides an intimate look at the struggles of African Americans to establish spiritual communities in the harsh world of slavery in the American colonies. Written by one of today's foremost experts on African American religion, this book traces the growth of the black church from its start in the mid-1700s to the end of the nineteenth century.As Henry Mitchell shows, the first African American churches didn't just organize; they labored hard, long, and sacrificially to form a meaningful, independent faith. Mitchell insightfully takes readers inside this process of development. He candidly examines the challenge of finding adequately trained pastors for new local congregations, confrontations resulting from internal class structure in big city churches, and obstacles posed by emerging denominationalism.Original in its subject matter and singular in its analysis, Mitchell's Black Church Beginnings makes a major contribution to the study of American church history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802827853
• ISBN13: 9780802827852
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 197 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Enjoyed - Good Introduction

I enjoyed this book and believe the author did an excellent job of presenting the topic. I would recommend this book as a good introduction.

A Family Portrait

Henry Mitchell writes and teaches history as a family portrait worthy of sharing not only with the family (African Americans) but with the neighbors (all Americans). In the first half of "Black Church Beginnings," Mitchell documents the interplay between African religion, African American Christianity, and European Christianity. This is fascinating material presented with insight and passion. He puts to rest the notion that slaves were simply passive recipients of their masters' religion, teaching instead that the spiritual impact went both ways. The second half of the book contains a detailed and helpful historical outline of important dates with brief comments about some key figures. Reviewer: Robert W. Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," and of "Soul Physicians," and "Spiritual Friends."

Successes and failures alike are profiled

Henry H. Mitchell is a retired professor of history and black church studies: his Black Church Beginnings: The Long-Hidden Realities Of The First Years fills a gap in history in considering the struggles of African Americans to establish churches within the boundaries of slavery in the American colonies. The black church phenomenon began in the mid-1700s and its history is followed in a coverage which ends in the 19th century. Successes and failures alike are profiled in this strongly recommended and highly valued contribution to Black Studies, American History, and Christian Religious Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.