Shattering the Illusion: How African American Churches of Christ Moved From Segragation to Independence

Religion in the USA is different from that in Britain and Europe. For instance, in the congregations here in the USA are usually independent, and the members are free to make their own decisions. In Britain, however, there are established Churches, synagogues, and Mosques, and the Jews of Britain have a “Chief Rabbi.” The Rabbis of all the congregations report to a central authority, who has the ear of the government. As for separation of church and state, there isn’t really any. That is why the Churches of Christ were so unusual.

Until I read this well-researched and unbiased story, I was unfamiliar with the Churches of Christ. Apparently they were a confederation of churches with a common philosophy, and there was a branch for African American worshipper that formed after the Civil War. But even though the Churches of Christ preached respect for all regardless of race, I have to wonder if the African American branch was really another form of segregation. Was its true purpose meant to keep White members from having share with freed slaves?

Shattering the Illusion begins with the origins of the Churches of Christ in the 1800’s to its eventual desegregation by the 1970’s. It’s clear from the book that while the African American preachers like George Browser and William Franklin were heading a segregated agency within a white church, they were, in essence, already independent. The Churches of Christ weren’t integrated, and that obviously wouldn’t happen for a long time, but the preachers needed the support of the whites in order to function. It costs money to incorporate, acquire a building, pay the minister’s salary, heat and maintain the building, etc. If they could get some financial support from a functioning white church, what could it hurt?

Wes Crawford’s work analyzes an overlooked aspect of African American history. By having their own churches (as opposed to sitting in the back of a dominantly white one), they were able to worship more freely and provide greater support within their own community. The independence of their churches lead to greater self-motivation, which would become a catalyst for the Civil Rights movement.