Capturing the stories of Black senior saints in Greater Boston
Boston Black Church Vitality Project’s oral history project
by Hanno van der Bijl, Managing Editor
The Black Church has a rich and living history in Greater Boston — a legacy that an oral history project is capturing one interview at a time.
It’s an initiative by the Boston Black Church Vitality Project in partnership with stakeholder churches that is exploring the intersection of being Black and Christian and the Church’s role in nurturing those identities.
Dubbed “Solos from the Choir,” participants record interviews with senior congregants, clergy, and community members. The project has already clocked in several interviews that have been posted online.
“These stories are centered around the Black church experience and to be honest with you, I would like to see more young people in church, so I’m hoping that these stories will encourage people to go to church because it’s such a place of community,” said Ritajayne Rivera, a member of Greater Framingham Community Church.
“I’m hoping that these stories will encourage people to go to church because it’s such a place of community.”
In addition to documenting the history of the Black Church and the Black Christian experience in Greater Boston, the endeavor seeks to inspire reflection, preserve tradition and give insight into assets and resources within churches.
The Black Church has historically been a place for Black people not only to worship but also to mobilize and organize for social change. It has served as a hub for social services, education, employment, voter registration, child care, and more.
By interviewing senior church members and recording their stories, the project is not only learning Black history but also preserving it.
TAKE ACTION
Is there an elder in your church or family who has a story to tell about the Black Church and the Black Christian experience in Greater Boston? This toolkit is available to guide you in the process of interviewing them about their experiences.