Saved And Sanctified: The Rise Of A Storefront Church In Great Migration Philadelphia (history Of African-american Religions)
by Deidre Helen Crumbley /
2012 / English / PDF
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During the early twentieth century, millions of southern blacks
moved north to escape the violent racism of the Jim Crow South
and to find employment in urban centers. They transplanted not
only themselves but also their culture; in the midst of this
tumultuous demographic transition emerged a new social
institution, the storefront sanctified church.
During the early twentieth century, millions of southern blacks
moved north to escape the violent racism of the Jim Crow South
and to find employment in urban centers. They transplanted not
only themselves but also their culture; in the midst of this
tumultuous demographic transition emerged a new social
institution, the storefront sanctified church.Saved and Sanctified
Saved and Sanctified focuses on
one such Philadelphia church that was started above a horse
stable, was founded by a woman born sixteen years after the
Emancipation Proclamation, and is still active today. “The
Church,” as it is known to its members, offers a unique
perspective on an under-studied aspect of African American
religious institutions.
focuses on
one such Philadelphia church that was started above a horse
stable, was founded by a woman born sixteen years after the
Emancipation Proclamation, and is still active today. “The
Church,” as it is known to its members, offers a unique
perspective on an under-studied aspect of African American
religious institutions.
Through painstaking historical and
ethnographic research, Deidre Helen Crumbley illuminates the
crucial role these oftentimes controversial churches played in
the spiritual life of the African American community during and
after the Great Migration. She provides a new perspective on
women and their leadership roles, examines the loose or
nonexistent relationship these Pentecostal churches have with
existing denominations, and dispels common prejudices about
those who attend storefront churches. Skillfully interweaving
personal vignettes from her own experience as a member, along
with life stories of founding members, Crumbley provides new
insights into the importance of grassroots religion and
community-based houses of worship.
Through painstaking historical and
ethnographic research, Deidre Helen Crumbley illuminates the
crucial role these oftentimes controversial churches played in
the spiritual life of the African American community during and
after the Great Migration. She provides a new perspective on
women and their leadership roles, examines the loose or
nonexistent relationship these Pentecostal churches have with
existing denominations, and dispels common prejudices about
those who attend storefront churches. Skillfully interweaving
personal vignettes from her own experience as a member, along
with life stories of founding members, Crumbley provides new
insights into the importance of grassroots religion and
community-based houses of worship.
