Abstract
The thrust of this paper is to demonstrate how an indigenous African Church made a strong impact on the people and survived through almost 40 years of repression by colonial authorities to emerge in the 1960s as a widespread Church. Her organization and socio-economic activities, developed without overseas assistance, her sincere desire to cooperate and to have fellowship with other Christian churches after her legal recognition in 1960, are proofs of the vitality that is characteristic of this Church.
This discussion of the Kimbanguist Church requires a brief examination of how Christianity entered Black Africa and specifically Black Central Africa. This must be seen in the context of Africa’s colonial past. The 19th Century brought new efforts to extend mission work into the heart of the “Dark Continent.” This is the century of strong Protestant missionary activity in Africa. But it is also the time when European Powers
divided Africa.