The District Chronicles

Issue date: 3/8/09 Section: Cover

The ushers of the Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church circled around her, hugging her and joined arms in prayer. Sister Wilson had recently lost her son to the streets of Anacostia. She stood before the congregation and Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell Sr. sheltering her face with her right hand, tears streaming down her eyes.

As she retreated back to her pew, members of the church stood, greeting her with open arms. Some whispered words of hope.

Rev. Bell asked the congregation to stand if they knew anyone who has been a victim of the streets. Nearly 30 people stood on the floor level and balcony of the church. "God help us heal our land, heal our people in Jesus' name," Rev. Bell said.

The Black church, according to Bell, developed as a result of the injustices that took place in the house of God. Since colonial times, long before slavery was abolished in 1865, Black churches, like Allen Chapel, have served as safe havens.

"African Americans were moved out of the sanctuary," said Rev. Bell, 52, a third-generation preacher. "White ushers asked them to move and make way for Whites."

Former slave Richard Allen, a Methodist deacon at St. George's Methodist Church in Philadelphia in the late 18th century rebelled against such injustice. In 1794 Allen opened the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, an all-Black congregation. Nearly two decades later, several regional congregational members formed the A.M.E. Church as the first independent Black denomination. Allen was the bishop.

The major historically Black denominations include the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; the National Baptist Convention, U. S. A., Incorporated; the National Baptist Convention of America, Unincorporated; the Progressive National Baptist Convention, and the Church of God in Christ.

Gail Lowe, Smithsonian Institution Anacostia Community Museum historian, said the Black church played a major role in every aspect of the life of Blacks, including health care, education and cultural affairs.

"It is important for us to know who we are where we've come from," Lowe said. "There are many of us who wouldn't have had enough money, clothes or enough for the $150 chemistry book or wouldn't have made it to or through college without the support of the church, without the scholarship from the Christian Education Society from the church. Many wouldn't have found an outlet for their gifts and talents."

Continued...

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