Drama Hits an Historic Black Harlem Church’s Leadership Search [Video]

Perhaps the only brand of politics more polarizing than a presidential election is church politics. While Texas’ Gateway Megachurch strangely ran through several pastors in only two months, now a controversial election continues to divide members of one of Harlem’s historic Black churches.

Founded in 1808, Abyssinian Baptist Church remains one of the oldest Black Baptist churches in the nation with more than 215 years of history and impact in the New York community, according to the church’s website.

But everything changed when the church’s beloved pastor, Rev. Dr. Calvin O Butts III died in 2022, kickstarting a two-year long process to select his replacement. For some of the church’s oldest members, however, this election was nothing short of confusing and disheartening.

In the end, Rev. Kevin Johnson was electedas Rev. Butts …