Includes bibliographical references and index.

The African roots of the African American church -- Slave population and conversions: the silent years of 1619-1750 -- The very first Black congregations: 1750-1800 -- Trends impacting the early Black churches up to 1900 -- The spread of the African American churches, 1801-1840 -- African American church expansion, 1841-1865, and denominational bodies -- Social activism in the early Black church -- African American schools and churches: new roles in reconstruction -- Appendix I: Black church growth in the north: 1801-1840 -- Appendix II: Bishop Rush's A.M.E. zion report of churches to 1843 -- Appendix III: Black church growth in the south -- Appendix IV: Black church beginnings in overseas missions.

"Black Church Beginnings provides an intimate look at the struggles of African Americans to establish spiritual communities in the harsh world of slavery in the American colonies. Written by one of today's foremost experts on African American religion, this book traces the growth of the black church from its start in the mid-1700s to the end of the nineteenth century."--Jacket.