Black Churches Split on America 250 Celebrations, Citing Racial History
As the United States marked its 250th anniversary in July 2026, Black churches took different approaches to the national milestone. Mother Bethel AME in Philadelphia joined the festivities, while other historic congregations chose to sit out, citing the nation's racial history and current political climate.
Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia rang bells and performed gospel songs as part of America's 250th anniversary celebrations in early July 2026. The church, the first AME congregation ever founded and a former Underground Railroad station, honored Black historical figures including Richard Allen, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglass.
A congregant designed a fiberglass bell honoring Allen and 53 pastors. Members participated in a human outline of the Liberty Bell at Independence Mall, and the church's choir performed for a local radio series.
Lead pastor Carolyn Cavaness acknowledged the tension. 'We shouldn't participate in light of where we are in this country,' she said. 'But those heroes' names deserved to be called.'
Other historic Black churches took a different path. St. James AME Zion Church in Ithaca, New York, opted out of the celebrations. Pastors there cited the nation's racial history and the current sociopolitical climate as reasons for their distance, choosing instead to preach on the inherent value of all people made in the image of God.
In Kingston, New York, the Old Dutch Church and Harambee hosted a 'Black Fourth of July' event on July 7, 2026, featuring music, poetry, and education focused on Black heritage and historical injustices.
Historian Gerard Aching noted that many Black churches likely operated secretly as Underground Railroad stations, but evidence was often erased to avoid punishment. Over 30 churches hold formal designations from the National Park Service.
Attendance at historically significant Black churches has declined sharply. Mother Bethel's Sunday attendance fell from 4,100 in 1830 to 250 today. Experts warn of further closures unless churches find new ways to connect with younger generations and adapt to shifting community needs.
