The half century that followed emancipation was a crucial time for African Americans, most of whom had been slaves and were struggling with little reliable support and against determined opposition to attain the full promise of freedom. The church played a vital role in that struggle, providing spiritual comfort, social services, political leadership, and a strong sense of community. In Under Their Own Vine and Fig Tree, William E. Montgomery presents a comprehensive treatment of the black church and the southern environment in which it functioned from 1865 to 1900. What emerges from his...
The half century that followed emancipation was a crucial time for African Americans, most of whom had been slaves and were struggling with little rel...
