The Black Church

Freedom through Faith

The Black Church, preaching and teaching a theology of liberation, has been at the core of the freedom struggle and the civil rights movement since the mid 1800’s. Whether under an arbor or in a building, African Americans gathered together, lifted up their troubles and sorrows, sang spirituals and hymns of hope, organized strategies for securing voting rights, and maintained their faith in achieving humanity and justice for themselves and posterity.

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Mount Zion AME Church Pastor and Choir

Even while adopting the religion of the slave owners, African Americans infused elements of their African roots in the Black Church. The call-and-response style of singing by the choir members, the fervent passion in the sermons by the pastors, and the spirit-filled display of emotion by the congregation speak to African roots.

Please go to the drop-down menu to open the doors to more about the Black Churches of Orange County.