Historic Black Churches Split on Joining America 250 Celebrations
Some historic Black congregations are participating in the nation's 250th anniversary events, while others are sitting them out. The divide reflects different views on how to address America's racial history.
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, historic Black churches are taking different approaches to the celebration.
Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, one of the oldest Black congregations in the country, has chosen to participate. The church, which served as a station on the Underground Railroad, has featured illustrations of Richard Allen, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman in its anniversary programming. Members performed gospel music at city-wide events.
Other congregations have decided to stay out of the official festivities. Pastor Terrance King of St. James AME Zion Church in Ithaca, New York, said his church is using the moment differently.
"Rather than celebrating, we are using our platform to speak honestly about this country's past and to affirm the dignity of every person," King said.
The split reflects a broader tension within Black communities about how to engage with national milestones. For some, participation is a way to claim space and honor Black contributions to American history. For others, the celebrations feel premature given ongoing racial inequities.
Many of these historic churches are also dealing with declining membership. Factors include gentrification pushing longtime members out of their neighborhoods, the rise of online worship, and generational shifts in religious practice.
Some congregations have found creative ways to stay financially viable, including leasing commercial space and hosting community events. Others are uncertain about their long-term future.
Christianity Today reported on the divide in a July 3 article, noting that the debate reflects larger questions about the role of the Black church in American public life.
