The information in this brief history, the quotes and the charts that accompany it are from Black Churches of Brooklyn by Clarence Taylor [The Columbia History of Urban Life, 1994]. I recommend this book for anyone doing research on Brooklyn history or genealogy. This book caught my eye because Mr. Taylor gave a reason why most African-Americans in Brooklyn organizing their own church and left the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Brooklyn, on Sands Street. Stiles' history made it seem magical. History Brooklyn and Kings County were agricultural communities relying on slave labor. In 1698, 15% of Kings County's population were slaves, "no free blacks were in the counties six towns of Brooklyn, Bushwick, Flatlands, Flatbush, Gravesend, New Utrecht." Kings county by the eighteenth century became the heaviest slaveholding county in New York State. "Although one-fifth of New York State's black population were free, by the end of the century [eighteenth] only 3% (or 46) free blacks resided in Kings county, the smallest number in the state." Stiles in his history of Brooklyn just states: About 1817, the colored members of the church had so increased in numbers as to create the necessity for a separate place of worship. By their own exertions, therefore, and the assistance of the members of the church generally, they succeeded in erecting a small house of worship, but were under the pastoral care of regular stated preachers. But after having commenced to worship by themselves, there appeared among them a spirit of insubordination to the discipline, and, in 1818, during Mr. Alexander McCaine's term at Brooklyn, they all (six excepted), seceded in a body. Here is the story as found in Taylor's book: As the black population of the downtown area grew, many newcomers sought places of worship. Some joined the predominantly white First Methodist Episcopal Church of Brooklyn, popularly known as Sands Street Methodist Church (although the increase in black membership caused great alarm among the white membership). Responding to white resentment to the increase of black members, church officials charged people of African origins ten dollars per quarter to worship at Sands. In addition to this humiliation, the pastor of the church, Alexander McCaine, publicly defended slavery, and would, later publish a pamphlet entitled "Slavery Defended from Scripture." Deciding that it was better to form their own congregation than endure insults and attacks on their humanity, blacks collectively withdrew from Sands and held religious services in their homes. This action demonstrated the determination of African Americans to oppose racism and their desire for independence. They sent a delegation to Philadelphia to meet with Richard Allen, the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), to seek recognition in the African Methodist Episcopal body and a minister for the new congregation. The male members of the new congregation selected a trustee board, which applied for and received official recognition from the state of New York as the First African Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church (AWME). By taxing each member fifty cents a month, the new congregation raised enough money in 1819 to purchase land on High Street and build its first church. In 1854, after moving to Bridge Street in Brooklyn, the church changed its name to Bridge Street African Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church. End. I point this story out for a couple of reasons; first, I found it interesting because it is a story/history of a small group of people [African-Americans in Brooklyn] , not large armies or great generals, which illustrates the history of the United States, African-Americans, and Brooklyn better than many if not all long histories. My hope is that some day I will find a story that illustrates and helps me understand my Brooklyn Irish ancestors as well. Black Churches of Brooklyn, 1920.
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