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The Servant taught others how to serve more deeply, not as a slave, but as a free man.

2:40
The Hymnist sang praises to celebrate the soul's salvation and save the body from slavery.

2:20
The Reader risked his life to bring to the Church what should have never been prohibited.

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Trailer
An intimate four-hour series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

3:19
Explore the 400-year-old story of the black church in America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discusses the origins of Black church.

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Founded in 1773, this church is one of the first Black run institutions in the U.S.

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Originally simple, single melody folk songs spirituals have changed over the generations.

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In Georgia, you can find some of the deepest traces of Christianity, as well as Islam.

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Reverend Cain started rebuilding Charleston’s staple Black church after it was destroyed.

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Rutha Mae Harris’ music lifted the spirits of those fighting for racial equality.

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Founded to be seminaries, HBCUs understood themselves to be doing the work of God.