Historic Black Churches Split on Joining America 250th Anniversary Celebrations
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Black churches are divided on whether to participate. Some congregations are joining the festivities to honor Black historical figures. Others are sitting out, citing the country's history of racial injustice.
Black churches across the country are taking different approaches to the United States' 250th anniversary, with some joining the celebrations and others choosing to stay on the sidelines.
Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia is participating. The congregation, one of the oldest Black churches in America, has organized music series, bell-ringing ceremonies, and events at Independence Mall. Pastor Carolyn Cavaness said the goal is to make sure figures like Richard Allen, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman are part of the national story being told this year.
St. James AME Zion Church in Ithaca, New York, is not participating. Pastor Terrance King said his church will use Sunday sermons to address the country's history of racial injustice and the theological importance of human dignity. He does not see the anniversary as a moment for celebration.
The divide reflects a broader tension within Black Protestant communities. Many pastors remain cautious about events that could appear to endorse a national narrative that has often excluded or harmed Black Americans.
Randi Richardson, writing for Christianity Today, reported that the debate is also shaped by practical concerns. Historic Black churches are dealing with declining membership, gentrification, and the challenge of keeping younger generations engaged. Some leaders see the anniversary as a distraction from those more pressing issues.
Others argue that showing up matters. They say that if Black churches opt out entirely, the stories of Black Americans who shaped this country will be left out of the official record.
The anniversary events run through the summer and fall of 2026.
