During Reconstruction, the role of the church in the black community:
declined because ex-slaves realized they owed their freedom to fellow human beings, not to God.
changed as African-Americans joined white churches rather than worshipping separately.
declined as other black-run institutions became more central in African-American life.
was central, as African-Americans formed their own churches.
became less important, as northern white churches moved into the South and took in most blacks.

The creation of black churches was one of the major achievements of reconstruction era and was important for the black peoples conception of freedom. Churches were the first institutions that were fully controlled by the blacks. Before civil war they held sacred religious meetings. Although they were allowed to attend the bi racial congregations organized by the whites but they were made to sit at the back. After emancipation the blacks left these institutions and created their own churches by pooling their resources for purchasing land and erecting the church buildings. These places of worship also housed social and political events along with schools.