African-Americans contributing to the Church

Worshipers sing during a Wednesday evening gathering at Kindgom Builders Center, Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston in this 2011 file photo. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Useful links

African-Americans are a vital part of the tapestry of The United Methodist Church. They have played important roles in the development of the denomination in the United States since 1758.

A service of appreciation at the 2004 General Conference celebrated African-American contributions, witness, and presence within the denomination and recognized “those who stayed” in spite of racism.

Today Black Methodists for Church Renewal represents more than 2,400 black United Methodist congregations and approximately 500,000 African-American members in the United States.

Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

African American

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

Church History

“A boy at Gulfside Waveland, Miss.” is the original description of this undated photo taken at Gulfside Assembly in Waveland, Miss. The historic African American camp, founded in 1925, was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Photo courtesy of Gulfside Assembly.

Gulfside Assembly 20 years after Katrina

Gulfside Assembly was wiped out by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but the spirit of this special place can still be felt today.

General Church

Six bishops lead the opening worship and communion service at Black Methodists for Church Renewal’s 58th General Meeting at Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles on March 19. From left are Bishops Cedrick Bridgeforth, Tracy S. Malone, Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, Julius C. Trimble and Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai. The three-day meeting included an Ebony Bishops panel discussion on “The State of the Church,” reports on the Black College Fund and Africa University and information on the revised Social Principles and social entrepreneurship. Photo by John W. Coleman, UM News.

Black caucus finds hope in work ahead

During the 58th annual gathering of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, members were called to fight for justice and challenge systems of inequality.

Church History

The history of Pickett Chapel United Methodist Church in Lebanon, Tenn., goes back almost 200 years. Pickett Chapel is believed to be the oldest African American church building in the state of Tennessee. Photo from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Historic church tells story of slavery, triumph

Pickett Chapel has served both Black and white congregations over nearly 200 years. The fingerprints of enslaved people who built this church can still be seen today.

Useful links

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!