racially segregated churches (Charleston, North Charleston, Summerville: weddings, military, beaches)

[tiffan28]

I have been to about five churches in the North Charleston area and they are all, for the most part segregated by race. I can understand Hispanics needing a separate service in their own language, but why is it so hard to find a church that is racially diverse with blacks and whites? It bothers me to no end and I know South Carolina isn't the only state. There are many, many states who have this problem.

Still I know that racially diverse churches do exist in South CArolina. I just haven't found one yet, so I'm asking for any suggestions. Does anyone here attend a racially diverse church? If so, send me the 411. Thanks.

[SCBeaches]

I believe that Circular Church downtown is pretty diverse. I have attended all-black churches for weddings and funerals and we have different style of worship - same God, same beliefs, just different way of worshipping. One of my black friends from work went with me to church one Sunday and she found our service to be way too quiet, confined, and subdued...hers was much louder, more spirited, and less subdued. I think we all respect one another's way of worship, but just choose one over another so tend to go to churches that fit our style of worship. I am Southern Baptist and we have a few black couples that come now and then and they are warmly accepted and welcomed...just as I have been warmly accepted and welcomed at the black churches I have attended.

For the most part, around here anyway, the churches remain segregated by choice and by race and culture. I've noticed that in FL, churches are much more diverse....the church my daughter's family goes to is about 1/3 white, 1/3 black, and 1/3 Hispanic. Interesting.

Good luck - hope you find a church that fits the syle worship you are looking for.

[In the Pines]

My church ( Roman Catholic) in Summerville is very racially diverse. Best wishes in finding a church for you.

[TNKY]

I like SCBeaches answer. Here in MI, many churches are black or white too. The worship styles are different, which isn't a bad thing but it's nice to see all God's people worshipping together too.

[Rggr]

Originally Posted by SCBeaches

I believe that Circular Church downtown is pretty diverse. I have attended all-black churches for weddings and funerals and we have different style of worship - same God, same beliefs, just different way of worshipping. One of my black friends from work went with me to church one Sunday and she found our service to be way too quiet, confined, and subdued...hers was much louder, more spirited, and less subdued. I think we all respect one another's way of worship, but just choose one over another so tend to go to churches that fit our style of worship. I am Southern Baptist and we have a few black couples that come now and then and they are warmly accepted and welcomed...just as I have been warmly accepted and welcomed at the black churches I have attended.

For the most part, around here anyway, the churches remain segregated by choice and by race and culture. I've noticed that in FL, churches are much more diverse....the church my daughter's family goes to is about 1/3 white, 1/3 black, and 1/3 Hispanic. Interesting.

Good luck - hope you find a church that fits the syle worship you are looking for.

Good points.

I have a friend from another country that is a white guy and makes it a point to go to a particular all-black church when he comes to town because he loves the style of worship and the music. They've gotten to know him and look forward to his return a couple of times a year.

[pvjd]

In my experience it is also due to location. Birmingham, AL has a large black community, and within the community there are churches, businesses, entertainment, etc. It's not segregation in the racist sense, but rather people in a particular utilizing their resources.

[SCBeaches]

Originally Posted by pvjd

In my experience it is also due to location. Birmingham, AL has a large black community, and within the community there are churches, businesses, entertainment, etc. It's not segregation in the racist sense, but rather people in a particular utilizing their resources.

Oh no, I didn't mean to infer "racist" reasons...some of these churches are a block apart so it's not always due to convenient location....just cultural differences. And that's ok. We don't always have to be a melting pot...it's ok to be a tossed salad sometimes too and celebrate our differences.

[tiffan28]

thanks everyone for the good suggestions - I will check our circular church too.

[carolinajack]

Originally Posted by tiffan28

I have been to about five churches in the North Charleston area and they are all, for the most part segregated by race. I can understand Hispanics needing a separate service in their own language, but why is it so hard to find a church that is racially diverse with blacks and whites? It bothers me to no end and I know South Carolina isn't the only state. There are many, many states who have this problem.

Still I know that racially diverse churches do exist in South CArolina. I just haven't found one yet, so I'm asking for any suggestions. Does anyone here attend a racially diverse church? If so, send me the 411. Thanks.

they exist throughout all the north as well, even in the biggest most liberal cities. try going to Mt Pleasant or downtown and checking out the churches down there.

i know that Seacoast in MP is integrated. try looking on-line first at the churches. i know of a very conservative fundamentalist baptist church in wEst Ashley that is throughly integrated, i will post in in a few minutes

[carolinajack]

Coastal Light Baptist Church

coastal light baptist is integrated. you also have to check out ones that do ministries to the military, they are more enlighted and educated about other people and tend to follow the entire bible and understand that seperation based on race is not biblical