For those who are not even that religious, the Baptist Churches in Harlem are a big draw in Harlem on Sunday. Not only does the fashion photographer, the Sartorialist, think that Harlem church goers are the best dressed in the city, but hoards of Europeans also take over locals houses of worship to hear all the singing. We walked by the small Baptist church on West 125th Street this past Sunday, and a church member was turning away folks from the door since it was already packed inside. Crowds of about 50-100 people line up to see one of Harlem's best-kept secrets, most coming from Spain and France with some Brits thrown in the mix. West 125th Street tends to have lots of Sunday traffic since it is the main thoroughfare (most of these churches tend to be converted theaters or warehouses), but the avenues of ACP/7th Avenue and Lenox/6th Avenue have the more majestic religious institutions. Our pick would be the Abyssinian Baptist Church for those who want the quintessential Harlem experience. See the previous post on this iconic church: LINK
I have mixed feelings about this tourist attraction, on the one hand the churches are one of the best sides of Harlem’s unique culture and I like visitors appreciating it. On the other hand our Harlem church goers dress in their Sunday best to seriously participate in a spiritual observance only to be observed by tourists in jeans and sneakers.
ReplyDeleteWe hear you on this one. Being dressed well, especially in a formal setting, is a lost art these days. One only has to go to a Broadway show and witness the same jeans and sneaker crowd on a Sunday matinee to see the disconnect. What may be a positive outcome is that the local restaurants and businesses could get an economic boost from the tourist so it might be helpful in some ways.
ReplyDeleteDoes having tourist in the Churches detract from what use to be a outlet for members of a church who like to sing and join the choir. Now Choir Masters want to recruit professional/Semi Professional Singers for their groups and no longer want the Sisters who thinks they can sing in the group, because the Church is looking for a "Record Deal" and if the Choir is not professional sounding the Tourist will not come.
ReplyDeleteI think the tourists have nullified the old time church experience in the Village of Harlem.
Sankofa, Interesting point about the choir masters desire for the best voices and maybe a record deal, I did not know that. However the most moving services I have experienced have been within the modest Harlem brownstone churches with a small congregation, and a large amount of passion. I think the tourists would be more impressed with that kind of Harlem experience also.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I find I have to struggle with the idea of tourists dropping into services who are only interested in the zoo-iss attraction. They never dress, seldom stay for the intire service and are generally disrepectful and distracting.
ReplyDeleteI actually look for services where the tourists are limited.