The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study

Chapter XII. The Organized Life of Negroes

CHAPTER XII. THE ORGANIZED LIFE OF NEGROES. 31. History of the Negro Church in Philadelphia.We have already followed the history of the rise of the Free African Society, which was the beginning of the Negro Church in the North.' We often forget that the rise of a church organization among Negroes was a curious phenomenon. The church really represented all that was left of African tribal life, and was the sole expression of the organized efforts of the slaves. It was natural that any movement among freedmen should centre about their religious life, the sole remaining element of their former tribal system. Consequently when, led by two strong men, they left the white Methodist Church, they were naturally unable to form any democratic moral reform association; they must be led and guided, and this guidance must have the religious sanction that tribal government always has. Consequently Jones and Allen, the leaders of the Free African Society, as early as 1791 began regular religious exercises, and at the close of the eighteenth century there were three Negro churches in the city, two of which were independent.' 1 Cf. Chapter III. 2 St. Thomas; Bethel and Zoar. The history of Zoar is of interest. It "extends over a period of one hundred years, being as it is an offspring of St. George's Church, Fourth and Vine streets, the first Methodist Episcopal church to be established in this country, and in whose edifice the first American Conference of that denomination was held. Zoar Church had its origin in 1794, when members of St. George's Church established a mission in what ·was then known as Campingtown, now known as Fourth and Brown streets, at which place its first chapel was built. There it remained until 1883, when economic and sociological (197) Organized Life of Negroes. [Chap. XII. St. Thomas' Church has had a rnost interesting history. It early declared its purpose" of advancing our friends in a true knowledge of God, of true religion, and of the ways and means to restore our long lost race to the dignity of men and of Christians." 3 The church offered itself to the Protestant Episcopal Church and was accepted on condition that they take no part in the government of the general church. Their leader, Absalom Jones, was ordained deacon and priest, and took charge of the church. In 1804 the church established a day school which lasted until 1816.4 In 1849 St. Thomas' began a series of attempts to gain full recognition in the Church by a demand for delegates to the Church gatherings. The Assembly first declared that it was not expedient to allow Negroes to take part. To this the vestry returned a dignified answer, asserting that" expediency is no plea against the violation of the great principles of charity, mercy, justice and truth." Not until 1864 was the Negro body received into full fellowship with the Church. In the century and more of its existence St. Thomas' has always represented a high grade of intelligence, and to-day it still represents the most cultured and wealthiest of the Negro population and the Philadelphia born residents. Its membership has consecauses made necessary the selection of a new site. The city had grown , and industries of a character in which the Negroes were not interested had developed in the neighborhood, and, as the colored people were rapidly moving to a different section of the city, it was decided that the church should follow, and the old building was sold. Through the liberality of Colonel Joseph M. Bennett a brick building was erected on Melon street, above Twelfth. "Since then the congregation has steadily increased in numbers, until in August of this year it was found necessary to enlarge the edifice. The corner-stone of the new front was laid two months ago. The present membership of the church is about 550."-Public Ledger, November 15, 1897. 3 See Douglass' "Annals of st. Thomas'." 'It was then turned into a private school and supported largely by an English educational fund. 24.30.118] Project MUSE (2024-04-25 05:55 GMT) Sect. 31.] Negro Church £n Ph£ladelpk£a. 199 St. Thomas', P. E.. Bethel, A. M. E. . . Zoar, M. E . Union, A. M. E . Baptist, Race and Vine Streets Presbyterian. . . . • . . . . . quently always been small, being 246 in 1794,427 in 1795, 105 in 1860, and 391 in 1897.5 The growth of Bethel Church, founded by Richard Allen, on South...