Church in Early America

In early America, the church or meeting house usually played an important part in a family's life. Husbands might occasionally attend a council or court, go to a mill, or share a drink at the tavern, but a woman normally worked at home. Attending a service was her chance to go somewhere, visit, and get away from the grueling routine of everyday labor. If the preacher was vivacious and there was singing, it could be entertaining as well.

Before long, a family could choose from several denominations, such as Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Quaker, Puritan, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Judaism. All

denominations wouldn't be available in all locations, however. And, for years, remote places would have to depend on itinerant preachers or circuit riders if they had one at all.

The first churches tended to be strict. Because people cared about their standing in the community, the churches wielded a lot of social power. Being publicly punished or kicked out of a congregation was devastating. In Everyday Life in Early America, David Freeman Hawke writes, "The church, regardless of a family's religious or ethnic background, had the most influence beyond the farm."

At first, control remained in the hands of a minister or a few deacons, elders, or other governing body. Throughout the 1700's, church order became less demanding. With the Great Awakening, congregations wanted more say in the running of the church, and often they became quite proud of their church building. It remained an important part of the community for many years.

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