Stumbling Down the Path to Unity: A Look at Race Relations in the Church of God (Anderson, IN) 1881-1970 and First Church of God (Racine, WI) 1955-1970

Abstract

The Church of God is a non-denominational Bible-based Christian church organization based in Anderson, Indiana with state organizations and local congregations across the country. This paper looks at how the church as an organization dealt with race relations from the organization inception in 1881 to 1970 to see if they allied with white southern churches segregated views or if they took an integrated stance. The Church of God was formed out of a need for progress but as it matured it lost its fervor and bowed to societal race pressures. This caused the black churchmen to begin an uphill battle for representation and rights in the church. This paper also looks at Racine, Wisconsin's Churches of God from 1955-1970, as an example, to see if they follow the national model.