Shiloh Baptist Church, 1954
Anchorage Museum, Ward Wells Collection, B1983.91.C1317
The Black Church embodies the intersection of joy, activism, and community. Arguably, no other single institution has played such a leading role in the struggle for Black freedom as the Church. Black individuals worship in thousands of churches throughout the nation; there they articulate the struggles of daily life, organize in the face of discrimination, celebrate the joy of community, and share a sense of belonging. Anchorage’s Black churches have long been pillars of strength and vibrancy. Notable Anchorage places of worship include Shiloh Baptist Church, Greater Friendship Baptist Church, the New Hope Baptist Church, and the First Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, among others. Faith remains central to the lives of many Black Alaskans.