This exhibit examines the importance of churches in the Indianapolis black community. Usually one of the first cultural institutions that new African-American communities created, the church historically provided services for the community that for many decades were not available elsewhere. More than mere places of worship, churches have provided recreation, education, fund-raising for their communities, and sites for political and civil rights organizations like the NAACP. The boy scout group pictured below is an example of nonreligious activities that churches often host. The exhibit illustrates that today's African-American churches remain a source of identity and strength in the community.
Other Black History exhibitions available from the Indiana Historical Society include Caretakers of the Future and African-American Businesses in Indianapolis.
IHS home page, the Education
Division, the Exhibition's Department, or the list of available exhibits.