Abstract
“Among our people generally, the church is the Alpha and the Omega of all things.”1 Martin Delany’s assertion summarizes the centrality of the Black Church in America. A large body of lliterature also exists regarding the historic role of the urban Black Church as a religious and spiritual institution for African Americans, an arena for social and cultural expression, a safe haven from discrimination and racism and for economic assistance,a training ground for leaders and political activists, and a storehouse of racial/ethnic identity. Thus, the Black Church has met many of the sacred as well as secular needs of members of the urban Black community.