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chapter 9 Reconstruction: The Making and Unmaking of a Revolution

The Black Church 1865–1877
this 1876 sketch is an evocative presentation of a black church scene in which serious and
well-dressed women, men, and children appear to be engaged in serious reflection on a
biblical passage. While the preacher and his assistant are clearly leading the Bible study, the
multiple settings within the scene enable us to focus on the congregants. the individuals
and groupings — indeed, the collective image — convey authentic black christian
propriety. From ‘The Illustrated London News,’ November 18, 1876/Private Collection/Bridgeman Images.

Women derived their authority in churches from their roles as Christian wives,
mothers, “sisters,” and homemakers. As “church mothers,” they exercised informal
yet significant influence in church affairs, including matters of governance typically
reserved for male members, such as the selection of preachers and the allocation
of church funds. Although women were not allowed to become preachers, many
preached nevertheless, under titles such as “evangelist.”
Black women were also leaders in and practitioners of African-derived forms of
popular, or folk, religion — such as conjure and voodoo, or hoodoo — which had
evolved during slavery and continued after emancipation. Focusing on magic and the
supernatural, they involved healing and harming beliefs and practices. One celebrated
voodoo “priestess” was Marie Laveau of New Orleans. Not surprisingly, black church

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