Racial segregation of churches in the United States

The Racial segregation of churches in the United States is a pattern of Christian churches having segregated congregations based on race. As many as 87% of Christian churches in the United States are either completely made up of only White or African-American parishioners.

Racially segregated churches have existed within the United States since before it became a country, and lasted well through the post slavery era into the modern age.

There are many reasons for the history and continued prevalence of racial segregation in U.S. churches, including racism, denominational differences, and isolation. This segregation also has effects on individuals and the larger society, including increased racism and segregation even outside of the church. However, segregated Black churches also have been a positive place for community organizing for civil rights and other issues, as well as offering a respite for Black individuals from the racism they face in integrated society.

Before the American Civil War, churches in the Northern United States and the Southern United States were segregated, both socially and legally. The first Black church was founded in 1773 in South Carolina. In the 19th century, both the African Methodist Episcopal Church church and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church were founded, and had African American leaders and control of their own property.

Many White Christians in the 18th century did not consider African Americans fully human and did not believe that they had souls. When this view changed, White Christians began to try to convert slaves to Christianity, although slave owners resisted this conversion because they were afraid of slaves revolting. In trying to convert slaves to Christianity, Christian leaders reinforced and approved slavery as well as any means of punishment for slaves who revolted. Some Christian leaders even claimed that slavery was a good thing in that it allowed, or oftentimes forced, slaves to become Christians.

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