Group identity is closely bound to a sense of religious belonging. Jews, Muslims, Christians all define themselves, in part, through a series of beliefs, practices and symbols. Afro-Americans have not been exempt from this and, in fact, the church has long been, and remains, an integral part of the black community. Most have opted for a form of Christian worship, Protestantism being the most common form but there are also Methodist, Baptist, or Pentecostal churches. Catholicism was not so widespread and nor has it ever been an exclusively black church. It’s history, however, is one, like its congregation, of faith, struggle and survival.