Description
Book SynopsisOften seen as ethnically monolithic, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in fact successfully pursued evangelism among diverse communities of indigenous peoples and Black Indians. Christina Dickerson-Cousin tells the little-known story of the AME Church's work in Indian Territory, where African Methodists engaged with people from the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Seminoles) and Black Indians from various ethnic backgrounds. These converts proved receptive to the historically Black church due to its traditions of self-government and resistance to white hegemony, and its strong support of their interests. The ministers, guided by the vision of a racially and ethnically inclusive Methodist institution, believed their denomination the best option for the marginalized people. Dickerson-Cousin also argues that the religious opportunities opened up by the AME Church throughout the West provided another impetus for Black migration. Insightful and
Trade Review"An excellent study that analyzes the role of the AME Church members in westward expansion and migration who provided stability and institution building to many Black settlements in the West, incorporated Black Indians within the larger African American community, and evangelized among Native American populations."--Lawrence S. Little, author of
Disciples of Liberty: The African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Age of Imperialism, 1884-1916Table of ContentsPreface ix
Acknowledgments xi
A Note on Terminology xiii
Introduction: The Drums of Nonnemontubbi 1
1 Richard Allen, John Stewart, and Jarena Lee: Writing Indigenous Outreach into the DNA of the AME Church, 1816–1830 12
2 Seeking Their Cousins: The AME Ministries of Thomas Sunrise and John Hall, 1850–1896 34
3 The African Methodist Migration and the All-Black Town Movement 57
4 “Ham Began . . . to Evangelize Japheth”: The Birth of African Methodism in Indian Territory 82
5 “Blazing Out the Way”: The Ministers of the Indian Mission Annual Conference 100
6 Conferences, Churches, Schools, and Publications: Creating an AME Church Infrastructure in Indian Territory 119
7 “All the Rights . . . of Citizens”: African Methodists and the Dawes Commission 154
Notes 173
Index 227
