The Past Matters: A Chronology of African Americans in The United Methodist Church

The story of African Americans in the church offers insight into national history because Methodism parallels the history of the United States. Beginning in the 18th century on the Eastern seaboard, Methodism migrated westward and picked up different emphases as the nation developed. In her chronology, Marilyn Magee Talbert lets the past teach us. She traces the strong faith of African American leaders who in the 18th and 19th centuries recognized the denominations racism, which led to the formation of new Methodist bodies. She shows the ministry of African Americans in the late 19th century and helps us see anew the movement to equality in post-World War II denomination and nation. Talbert does not let us forget important people and lessons from our past, and her chronology guides us toward the future. Primary audience: United Methodists of all racial-ethnic groups who are interested in the history and heritage of their denomination, church libraries, church historians, other Wesleyan denominations that are predominantly African American in membership (AME, AME Zion, and CME) and Black Methodists for Church Renewal.