Black churches of Brooklyn, The
Book Description
Clarence Taylor presents a profound exploration of how faith communities have shaped urban African-American life through two centuries of struggle and triumph. Using Brooklyn as a compelling case study, this comprehensive work reveals the extraordinary ways black churches have served as pillars of strength, culture, and resistance in America's cities.
The narrative traces the evolution of these sacred institutions from the nineteenth-century mainline denominations that adapted traditional practices to serve their growing congregations, to the vibrant Holiness-Pentecostal churches that brought exuberant worship and community connection to urban neighborhoods. Taylor demonstrates how these churches transcended their spiritual mission, establishing literary societies, art groups, and educational programs that challenged societal assumptions about African-American intellectual capacity and cultural sophistication.
Beyond worship, these congregations created vital networks where community members could organize, socialize, and find stability amid urban challenges. The author examines how prominent ministers navigated their communities through pivotal moments including McCarthyism, the civil rights era, and the War on Poverty, while addressing contemporary issues like middle-class exodus, government program cuts, and health crises.
Through rich photographic documentation and careful analysis, Taylor illuminates the delicate balance these institutions maintain between sacred calling and secular engagement. This work offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand how spiritual communities can foster resilience, preserve culture, and create lasting social change in urban environments.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
🕉️ Tradition: Christianity
📄 Length: 297 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore Negers
- ✓ Explore Kerkgenootschappen
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore African americans, new york (state), new york
- ✓ Explore Kirchengemeinde
- ✓ Explore Brooklyn (new york, n.y.), history
- ✓ Explore African Americans
