Prior to the war the Madison Baptist Church in Georgia, like many other congregations in the Deep South, had almost as many black members as white members. Most, if not all, black members were slaves, their presence forced by their masters and policed by white church members. In 1859 a new church sanctuary was constructed.…
Zirconia, North Carolina native Daniel W. Revis (1835-1914) was a farmer in Henderson County prior to the war. In 1862 he enlisted for a three year term of service with North Carolina’s 64th Regiment, Company B. His service took place largely in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, prior to his discharge in early 1865.…
Today in Montgomery, Alabama an “old negro woman” enters one of city’s “principle churches,” walks down the church aisle, and sits down in a seat of her choice. The woman, after all, is now free. Or so she might think. A white church member quickly intercedes, “politely” telling her that the church has “prepared another…