Each year at the African American Heritage Society’s Black Tie Affair, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is sung in unison by attendees. Written by James Weldon Johnson, the hymn is often referred to as the Black National Anthem.
“…Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of hope that the present has brought us… “
The music is full of the wonder, beauty and resilience that represents the African American church in America. During the Civil War and Reconstruction Eras, the church created places for formerly enslaved persons to find the freedom to worship in community. Congregants were provided a sanctuary for spiritual guidance, an offering of physical and mental solace, and the tools to stand up to oppression through education, service and faith.
Black churches held a leadership role in the American Civil Rights Movement. Their history as centers of strength for the Black community made them natural leaders in this moral battle. In addition, they had often served as links between the black and white worlds.
In 2023, the African American church continues to offer spiritual guidance, a sense of community, a sense of racial pride, and help to those in need. Expectations of the church remain high to this day. The church, in turn, continues to rise to the occasion.
Locally, Historic Shorter Chapel African Methodist Church has served as a beacon of hope throughout Franklin’s post-Civil War history. Currently, the Rev. Kenneth Hill is very involved in the work of Unite Williamson, a group that, according to Franklin Mayor Ken Moore, “seeks to strengthen our community by creating a formal connection through prayer and commitment to bring hope and unity.”
Shorter Chapel is also actively promoting the preservation of Franklin’s Black History by working to rehabilitate its building, protecting the Ruth Gaylor Green Book House, and working consistently with the Williamson County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to promote the social history of the National Register-listed Natchez Street Neighborhood. Anchoring the opposite end of Natchez Street stands the historic First Missionary Baptist Church. A vibrant part of the Natchezneighborhood and African American community tends to the needs of neighbors and congregants. Most recently First Missionary hosted the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration including a march, a church service and a roundtable discussion at the Eastern Flank meeting center.
The day was presented by First Missionary Baptist Scholarship Ministry and included both an essay and songwriting contest. The church is currently led by Deacon Anthony Pickett. Longtime member and daughter in service, Cassandra Wray, shares of a community outreach effort — “the youth have elected to bring in canned goods throughout the year and have created ‘love month’” as a way to raise awareness and provide food to those in need.
Elder John Haynes is in his 24th year at the Burns Talbernacle Primitive Baptist Church. Under his leadership, Burns Tabernacle hosted the first affordable housing debate held at a Black church. Alongside, Ms. Beverly Redd Elder Haynes created the United Community Resource Foundation.
The mission of the organization was to serve the community on a variety of issues including: the necessity of housing for all; voter education as a gateway for meaningful dialogue; healthy lifestyle as a primary health care option; workforce development, job and career training; and the provision of education through scholarships and training. Elder Haynes strongly believes that “standing together is for the betterment of all citizens..”.
These are just a handful of the stories of community support and the uplifting of those in need. The African American church remains steadfast in the building up of the Franklin community, maintaining and developing a strong spiritual backbone and preserving cultural and racial identity.
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