Attending black church while white

[Anonymous]

I’ve been wanting to get anyone in my family interested in going to church with me again after not attending for a few years.

I’ve seen my opportunity recently. My freshman son has been hanging out with new friends who have Christian faith (though not our denomination and honestly more fundamentalist than I would ever be comfortable with). He knows the words to all the songs from Kanye’s Jesus is King and loves gospel music. So I asked him if he’d go to church with me next week. He said he’d like to attend if we can find a church with gospel music.

I attended St Augustine’s Catholic Church, historically black, here in DC maybe 30 years ago and they were welcoming. I attended a gospel service in Harlem some years later and they were decidedly not. I get it. Even though I was invited by friends, it may have felt to the some parishioners like we were there to observe some kind of cultural performance. Like we were intruding.

So here’s my question. Can I take my son to St Augustine’s as a way of reviving his interest in church?

[Anonymous]

Just try it, and see if it feels welcoming. If it isn't, I wouldn't judge given the circumstances. Then, you just keep looking if need be. You and your son will find the right church home, it just might take some time. That is a good conversation to have, anyway, how finding the right church can take time. And fwiw, love of a certain kind of faith-based music is a huge reason that lots of folks attend church.

[Anonymous]

My church isn’t local but we would’ve loved to have you and your son visit. It’s truly a melting pot with people of all ethnicities. A good representation of what Heaven will be like. I hope you are able to find a good fit Op.

[Anonymous]

Aren’t Catholic Churches open to everyone ?

[Anonymous]

St Joseph's Catholic Church in Alexandria has a gospel choir (only at certain services though so you'd have to check their website.) It's a historically black church (from when Alexandria was segregated) but the congregation is now very diverse. You would not stand out at all. (Not saying you shouldn't go to St Augustine's, just putting another option out there in case it's helpful.)

[Anonymous]

I’ve been the only white person many times at church. It was fine. I was called out two out of the ten or so times I’ve attended. Once I was called ‘white wife’ in the west African language of the pastor but it was in a joking way. It doesn’t bother me at all to be the only white person. Maybe people stare but I don’t even notice. I say just try it, say hi to others and smile. It is church!

[Anonymous]

Just go. We don't do what/behave like you all do. Now, eyes will be on you for that visitors call (they know who isn't a member no matter your race!). I never stand, because I don't want to speak - up to you if you stand. Catholics may not do that, but others most certainly do!

[Anonymous]

My grandma did this. She was seventh day adventist and always attended a white church but then I think in the 70s or 80s, the more folksy, rock type worship music irritated her and she started attending a black adventist church. She attended for the rest of her life, and I remember other than us (my family) her funeral was mostly Black people. Her Black pastor spoke and it was incredible.

Anyway yes. You can attend. she was welcomed and loved by her congregation.

[Anonymous]

If you want an online option, my husband likes Good Shepherd in New York City. Really well produced online service and the music is incredibly beautiful.

[Anonymous]

My very white uncle was a priest at a black Catholic Church in North Carolina for a few years and they liked him pretty well.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for all the thoughtful replies and especially for naming a couple of other options for us. We're going to check them out, and just hope our good intentions are apparent.

[Anonymous]

Another option is Holy Comforter/St Cyprian. It's a historically Black parish, but has many white parishioners and the pastor is a white monsignor (who is very musically talented himself. )The main mass on Sunday has beautiful music, but be forewarned, it's long. It's the only Catholic church I've ever been in that has liturgical dance. https://hcscchurch.org/liturgy-2/music-ministry/

[Anonymous]

Idk about gospel choirs but the Ukrainian church beside the basilica has an acá pella quartet that is amazing and it’s a beautiful church on the inside

[Anonymous]

Yes. There are a lot of non-black people who attend St. Augustine. There are even white people in the gospel choir. Nobody will notice. It’s a wonderful service. Go!

[Anonymous]

NP - I attended a service at St. Augustine many years ago and loved it! However, I’m not Catholic. I’m an Episcopalian and would prefer to find an Episcopal black church or other church that isn’t fundamentalist. I sometimes wonder about AME but have no idea what that would be like.