The Negro's church,.

CHAPTER II

Origins of the Church
The distinctive social, economic and psychological influences
at work in each of five different epochs of the history of the
United States affected in various ways the Negro churches
that originated at the time, and are still reflected in those of
them that have survived. Consequently it is of importance to
point out that among the 609 urban churches and the 185
rural churches that were studied in this investigation there
are representatives of each epoch.
The Slavery Epoch
The first of these epochs was between the years 1750 and
1859. During this period racial consciousness was roused by
the controversy over slavery. Slavery as an institution was
challenged by its adversaries. Operators of the underground
railway were busily engaged transporting slaves to freedom.
On the other hand, those citizens with pro-slavery sentiments
were busy maintaining the institution. This controversy
found its way into the churches. The reactions of the southern religious bodies were decidedly pro-slavery. The Negroes
in many of the predominantly white churches voluntarily
withdrew or were forced out. And likewise the whites withdrew from churches which were predominantly Negro.
Approval or disapproval of the institution of slavery was
expressed, not only in the local churches, but by denominations as well. Large denominations like the Methodist and
the Presbyterian found themselves divided on the issue; their
divided sympathies were definitely influenced by the geographical regions in which their people lived.
The seriojcs-ss of this controversy in the church is reflected
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