(Of course, in the antebellum period a concern for the eradication of slavery was also central.) That these items continue to dominate the church’s mission priorities and stewardship planning may be attributed in part to the continuing marginality and relative powerlessness of blacks in American society. At the time after slavery was eradicated, black churches nickels and dime of dues and assessment created their own economics and political structure building their businesses and churches. However, due to population grow the church is now in a time of …show more content…
By 1900, the churches had compiled an impressive record: black Baptist associations were supporting 80 elementary schools and 18 academies and colleges; the African Methodist Episcopal churches were underwriting 32 secondary and collegiate institutions; and the smaller AME Zion denomination supported eight. The denomination now named the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, only 30 years old in 1900, had established five schools. Though not a part of the format agenda of the churches, church buildings have been crucial community assets. From the earliest times, they were the only assembly halls to which the black community had access. They housed schools, dramatic productions, cultural events, social welfare programs, rallies and benefits of all sorts, and civil and human rights activities. The requirements in these areas are less critical today. However, if the need for meeting space has declined, the claims placed on church members by movements for social, political, and economic justice have not diminished. According to W. E. B. DuBois, the NAACP could not have survived without the support of the black