When Was It First Observed ...

I was recently contacted by a univeristy professor looking to document the source and timing of the oft quoted statement, "Eleven o'clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of the week."

Most attribute this statement to Dr. Martin Luther King; however, Dr. Billy Graham can be quoted as having said it before Dr. King.

But did you know, the observation was made far earlier in American history, in fact even before the turn of the 20th century?

I have summarized my own research on the quote in the following footnote as found in chapter one of my first book, Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church. In the book, I mention the quote on page 4; the footnote itself can be found on page 186.

Should you have a desire or need to use this footnote in its entirety, or in part, please include the reference information listed below as part of your citation. 

Here then is what I wrote and believe to be the best statement (currently) concerning the timing of the eleven' oclock observation:

"2. As to when and by whom this sentiment was first observed, religious scholar Martin Marty noted at the end of the nineteenth century, “White Protestants, however, did little to build bonds with [Black Protestant] churches, and racially there were at least two Americas or Christianities. Doctrinal and practical similarity counted for little. . . . Critics noted that the Sunday Protestant worship hour was the most segregated time of the week. Indeed, the once righteous churches of the North, after proclaiming triumph over the evils of slavery and the South, came during the next century to adopt southern styles of regard for Blacks and their churches, and there was little positive contact even within denominational families” (John McManners, ed. The Oxford History of Christianity [Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990], 423)."

Mark DeYmaz, as cited in Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass/Leadership Network, 2007. p. 186.

Comments

[LaVonne]

In reading one of my favorite texts of Dr. King, I always got the feeling that he was referring to more than just an hour of time. I believe every leader, every Christian, every person, should read his interpretation of Paul's letter to the church: http://www.mlkonline.net/christians.html

Be blessed.