The Negro's church,.

30

The Negro's Church

initiative of individuals and groups; and 15 per cent. were
traceable to several causes. Of the 110 rural churches, 82
per cent. were the result of the initiative of individuals and
groups; 2 per cent. were missions; 12 per cent. were splits;
and 4 per cent. were started by the withdrawal of Negroes
from white churches.
The freedom which the Negro felt in this period is best
revealed by the fact that of the 333 rural and urban churches
of this study which originated then, 231, or 69 per cent., came
into existence through the initiative of individuals and groups.
Examples of churches organized in this manner may be selected from a large number representing many localities in
the United States.
In 1891 a few Baptists who lived in Nicetown (Philadelphia, Pa.) had a desire for a place of worship. After years of
feeble effort this church, with the help of another church, has
since grown into a self-supporting organization.'3 A group
of people in Cincinnati in 1878, under the leadership of a
minister, started a Sunday school which later became Calvary
Methodist Episcopal Church."4 In 1880, upon the advice of
an older minister, a young minister, Matthew Anderson, took
charge of Gloucester Mission in Philadelphia. This church
later became the self-supporting congregation called the Berean Presbyterian Church.'5 A church was organized in
Philadelphia in 1886 by a former cement worker. This man
came from Washington, D. C., and began preaching to
friends. The church is the outgrowth of the encouragement
and help of these friends.
A church in New Orleans, originated, in 1872, because its
members, formerly of another church, wanted a different
iS"Souvenir Program and Brief History-Second Baptist Church," North
Philadelphia, Pa., 1926.
Official Anniversary Program of Calvary M. E. Church, Cincinnati, Ohio,
1927.
5 Fiftieth Anniversary Program, Berean Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia,
1930.