The Negro's church,.

Is the Negro Overchurched?

213

the total. New Orleans has approximately 424 churches.
Of this number 222, or 52 per cent., are Negro churches. If
the Negroes of New Orleans had as few churches as the
whites in proportion to population they would have 80.
Memphis has a total population of 253,143; 96,550, or 38
per cent., are Negroes. Though constituting a little more
than one-third of the population, Negroes have actually as
many churches.
Richmond has a total population of 182,929; it has a Negro
population of 52,988, which is 29 per cent. of the total; but
the Negroes own 38 per cent. of the churches. If the white
people of Richmond had as many churches as the Negroes, in
proportion to population, they would have 218 churches, or
74 more than they have at present. If the Negroes had as
few churches as the whites, they would have 59 churches
instead of 89.
In Houston the Negro population is slightly more than 21
per cent. of the total population, but the Negro has slightly
less than 47 per cent. of the churches.
The evidence produced in regard to the question of overchurching in these seven southern cities seems to be conclusive that when the number of churches is set over against the
available church funds, the amount is so negligible that most
churches must continue to operate with a poorly paid staff,
sponsoring a program that is highly ineffective. Maps I and
II are illustrative of the way churches are located in southern
cities.
Situation in Northern Cities
Since in the North there have been large numbers of Negroes only in recent years, it is interesting to consider overchurching in the North and compare the findings with those
for the South.