ABSTRACT
The founding of Birmingham in 1871 and its emergence as an industrial center caused African Americans to migrate into the city seeking better economic opportunity. Among those migrating into Birmingham in large numbers were African Americans. Most came from the Black Belt of southern Alabama to escape the horrible life there where they lived and worked in a tenancy system which could be as exploitative as slavery. The main source of comfort, support, and cooperation for African Americans in the Black Belt was the church. Besides its religious and worship functions, Black Belt churches provided a social function. Most African Americans in the Black Belt were Baptists. Church formation among African Americans in Birmingham would also follow a geographical pattern with churches formed in company villages, the downtown area of Birmingham, and in industrial towns close to Birmingham. Many churches established in industrial towns in Jefferson County were first formed in camps and later moved to industrial towns near Birmingham.
