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The Black Church

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All episodes with PBS Passport

The Black Church

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All episodes with PBS Passport

An intimate four-hour series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr., The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song explores the 400-year-old story of the black church in America, the changing nature of worship spaces, and the men and women who shepherded them from the pulpit, the choir loft, and church pews.
Cornerstones | The Servant
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Cornerstones | The Servant

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The Man with the Million Dollar Voice
1:00
The Man with the Million Dollar Voice
In 1954, Reverend Franklin recorded his popular sermon “The Eagle Stirreth Her Nest.”
A Church That Is Welcoming to All
1:33
A Church That Is Welcoming to All
For the Black Church to survive, it must be a place that is welcoming to all.
The Black Church Bridges the Divide Through Music
1:27
The Black Church Bridges the Divide Through Music
In 1997, Kirk Franklin brought gospel music to the Billboard charts with his song “Stomp.”
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0:30
Gospel Trailer
The Black Church explores the church’s powerful influence.
First Black Run Institutions
2:14
First Black Run Institutions
Founded in 1773, this church is one of the first Black run institutions in the U.S.
Fisk Minstrel Show
1:36
Fisk Minstrel Show
Originally simple, single melody folk songs spirituals have changed over the generations.
Henry Louis Gates Jr. at Church of God in Christ West Angeles
Sing a Song for ‘The Black Church’
Send us a video of you singing “Blessed Assurance” at home, and you might just be featured in our screening of “The Black Church.”
Host, Henry Louis Gates Jr. standing in front of stained glass at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago
'The Black Church' Screening, Gospel Music in Los Angeles
February 18: Join PBS SoCal for a special screening of "The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song"
Members of the Pentecostal church praising the Lord.
'The Black Church' Screening, The Church's History in Los Angeles
February 24: Join PBS SoCal for a special screening of "The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song"
A group of people stand while reading a bible in church.
History of the Black Church in Los Angeles
Watch Dr. Lorn Foster, Jackie Broxton and Paster Eddie Anderson in a virtual panel on the history of the black church in Los Angeles.
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