Black Delta Religion

Watch the complete film on Folkstreams.net.
This film was made from b/w Super 8mm footage that William Ferris gathered in rural Mississippi in 1968. The film includes footage from rural church services and a full immersion baptism.

[@irmarobinson1]

I'm 64 years old. This is how they use to have CHURCH when I was a child. I'm fortunately enough to have lived in MY LIFE TIME to be able to have expereance this great tradition. PEACE!!!!!!!

[@DennisWilliams-nf2gn]

If you still with us then you want to watch Gino Jennings for old church services.

[@TexasGrandmaRosie]

I grew up in the 50's and attended small country churches in Texas. Loved the music. Lots of piano, guitar and tambourine. We wern't ashamed of the gospel of Jesus. We were not afraid to let the Holy Ghost fall on us and move us. My parents were stricked and there was a lot of things we didn't do that other kids did. Can't see that it hurt any of us. I still attend the same kind of church I did as a kid. I enjoyed this video. The folks in it were worshiping God. If you can scream and holler and jump up and down at a football game why can't you when the spirit of the Lord falls on you. I'm not ashamed of my love for Jesus. I usually get jumped on and chewed out when I comment on something like this. But that's on the head of the rude people who don't want others to speak up unless it agrees with whay they believe. Don't tell me Jesus isn't real. I feel Him in my soul.

[@shalontehernandez6752]

Amen

[@HHWC100]

I am a pastor who baptized in the York River in VA. God shows up with signs every time we have baptisms.

[@rmurbach1961]

I was stationed in Mississippi's Meridian Navy/Marine Air Field in the early 80's and was fortunate enough to have attended a service much like this. It was a small Baptist church located somewhere in between Meridian and Jackson. The bus picked up servicemen at the base for Sunday morning services. It was a escape and we all enjoyed it!

[@hassnimalik2480]

What an extraordinary document of a beautiful moment in history. Thank you for posting it.

[@moseseseseses]

Before leaving the state of Mississippi years ago, I use to play guitar for a black brethren church up in Kiln, Ms. and we use to have services like these. Bro. Powell, about 80 years of age pastored the church with his wife, tall black man, and they believed in a strick life of holiness. These are the type of churches that God sends people to who need deliverance from devil possession. God is not going to send you to any main street up town cathedral for deliverance.

[@akuasalaam490]

Just hearing their voices... Makes me think of the pure LOVE that was/is my grandmother. I could cry. Our sweet, Rosezenna ❤.

[@athorpe630]

I remember watching my dad baptize in water like this. He was a Baptist Pastor. I was really young then. By the time I got Baptized it was in a church in their inside pool.

[@oldman9843]

For all you folks saying how much we need this again , let me tell you it's coming soon . Yes , Jesus is pouring out His anointing oil again and in fact has already started . It's going to get real again ! God bless you all my brothers and sisters .

[@toddmaek5436]

We still have it. We dont need it again, it's OUR FAMILIES and US

[@alphashed]

Thank you for posting this great video. Our God surely revealed Himself to these folks through His Church and Spirit. Our God was with them through unimaginably hard times, Praise HIS holy name!

[@kwanculturel8724]

So so very beautiful, shout out to great grandma Martha and Mandy her sister test high most beloved.

[@claudettedalton3281]

im 54 and can remember in the 70s church was powerful i was little but u could feel Gods movement an prescence when they started praying singing an preaching its all lost now everybodys materialistic dont care about God but its biblical too amen xox

[@ProBlacklikeamutha]

Damn! I was baptized in the Amite river. I remember when my elder would get up and sing solos, the spirit would have my spine tingling, hair on my back standing. I don't do Christianity anymore, but I will always respect black worship. If we used it right,we would be so terrified of other people and disrespectful to each other.

[@oreally8605]

If you don't do Christianity anymore you're lost and on your way to hell sir. Maybe this will help gotquestions.org

[@Eli08ish]

@@oreally8605 And you have a hell to put him in? Do you know his heart? Hmm I don't think so.

[@mississippideltamedicine5325]

Beautiful 🌹🌷 Praise the Lord🌹👑

[@rickkijohns1408]

Elder Boston was my Big Daddy, as most black kids called their grandfather in the south. My Big Daddy and Big Mommy relocated and built this holiness church in West Dallas,where he was known for picking a long-necked red guitar. They gave us the greatest gift ever, and I have witnessed the next church(blood-family-fools) destroy it. Before my grandparents died they would often say, "y'all are going to miss us when we die." They were so right! I would give anything for the old ways.

[@cinnybun5187]

not really to me it was grandaddy and grandmama and actually for most black kids in the south it was poppop grandaddy bigmomma grandmama poppa so and and big daddy

[@redfootwalking]

Thank you soooo much for sharing this video! This totally reminds me of the church in the country that my many generations of family are members of. I am in awe. Thank you

[@bucaneromax1]

@oisaveloy This music IS breathtaking...

[@rmurbach1961]

I haven't been back since I left in 1983 so I imagine while some things have changed, some other remain the same. Coming from the city myself, it was culture shock to me to see some things down there as if they had been frozen in time. The old Meridian Navy air field closed back in the 90's I believe. When I retire, I may take a trip back down the just for the sake of it. Love rural Mississippi and its people, always have, always will!

[@blendedtonesable]

rmurbach1961 Actually the Navy Base in Meridian is still open today in 2018.There were talks of closing it in the 90s. We welcome you back anytime. It still may be a culture shock again though. (smile)

[@toddmaek5436]

Im ADOS (Ethnic African American), this is literally all of our parents, aunts, Uncles, grands and great grands right here. These are our tribespeople.

[@ElvisLewisJr]

The second church @ 1:00 is a Sanctified church (Holiness/ Pentecostal). I can tell by the song (Jesus said if you go); I've heard it song many times in COGIC (Church of God in Christ). You can also tell by the sign they showed @ 1:00. There weren't many Baptist or Methodist preaching Sanctification and Holiness.

[@rickkijohns1408]

I luv it! It wasn't that long ago that my holiness church was the same. Most of the elderly people, being my great-grandparents and my grandparents and others who lived through the depression. In their time, not everyone was educated, but they had what my grandpa said topped education 10 - 1 & that was good sense. I felt church was real and there was no playing, of course folks did wrong, but the strong saints put them in check. My church is a mecca of destruction now. I miss Elder Boston Sr.

[@KojiRecords]

This is "The Old Church." Mahailia Jackson talks about it in her autobiography. Yes, these true churches do indeed exist albeit invisible in the face of the more prominent and visible "Mega-Chruch" that strives to get both thousands of members and television airtime. The only movie in recent times to depict "The Old Church" respectfully is "The Apostle" starring Rovert Duvall, his final chuch scene was moving and magnificent. This Super 8 footage here is invaluable/exquisite. Thanks for posting

[@jacquesmees]

Love this old movies Thanks for sharing

[@Spiritree41]

Came back cause I had to hear my folk again in the Church :) I can see my big mama and big daddy up there. Thanks for this great vid....

[@kc768]

Powerful stuff. Nice presentation.

[@JeanJean-lz5qp]

Good Holy Ghost Music where the Power of The Lord was Manifested!

[@truthjerusalem7282]

That look like docery ,Drew ,Sunflower, Bolivar county Mississippi

[@folksonglover7217]

Beautiful

[@michaelrowedtheboat]

Thank you for a great clip!!! Yes and his name is JESUS!!!amen.

[@Spiritree41]

Wow they are still singing this music to this day. Nothing has changed in the country churches to this day. down south nothing has been disturbed....

[@LIZZIE-lizzie]

I love this et al

[@Spiritree41]

Love this video thought I drop by to hear some mo church. "Great day in the morning that was a good service !' This is what them ole folks would say if they were here right now. Those were the good old days when we dare disrespect our elders are they would bring wrath upon us...

[@inkey2]

to 60bup: I have watched thousands of vintage films and I am also a guitar player and guitar repair technician with 33 years experience. From the style of clothes, the elec guitars etc...my best guess is it is from around 1960

[@Spiritree41]

Actually Pink I am very proud of my comment for I am very proud of my of who I am : ) I'll stick firmly to it. Having been raised Southern baptist born in Alabama. I am very aware of my people here. Also very open to others relegions such as voodoo, santerian and all of the other religions that have been created to be evil are what have you. In other words roots run deep. No matter the fact that we were brought over as slaves, we have not changed in many years gone by.

[@MarkAnthonyJenkins]

I know there should have been over 1 million views.

[@bucaneromax1]

@ThatsABiggon ok - thanks, I´ll keep my eyes open for that church! :-) God bless

[@bucaneromax1]

@bentonyclark1 Thanks for the tip, Holland isn´t that far away...would be worth a visit!!! God bless you!

[@rickkijohns1408]

Are there others out there that feel our black holiness churches went in a direction that is now all too wrong?

[@bucaneromax1]

what would I give if I could have taken part of a such church service at these days...thanks for posting that clip

[@JASONLOVESME]

@Spiritree41 THANK U SO MUCH FOR CLEARING THAT UP CUZ PPLE CONFUSE THE TWO AN AWEFUL LOT.

[@lordvoldemort5725]

I live in Mississippi. My church is in a town called Pickens.

[@bucaneromax1]

@ThatsABiggon great to hear - then give me an adress, pls - I´ll be in USA Southern districts one week in October, would be fantastic if I could experience it!

[@pinktaco646]

that was very touching..do they still have churches like this

[@jerhen1]

Where can I buy this! I really Enjoyed looking at it!

[@brocasbrain]

@jerhen1 Go to the film page on Folkstreams for Black Delta Religion, then click the Contact Folkstreams About This Title link, then fill out and submit the form (choose Order DVD of Out of Print Film).

[@rebeccamargolis41]

Can anyone identify the first song?

[@pierrevanbentum]

only 1454 viewers, that's a bloody shame.

[@doc.fuller7010]

REAL I FEEL IT.

[@Spiritree41]

@KushKing99 Agreed...

[@bishop_papa7648]

That's when people was really SAVED

[@jeremiah6114]

Learn and be Fed

[@ThatsABiggon]

@bucaneromax1, they are still around! trust me. Most have running water & B-3 hammmonds now, though. :)

[@bentonyclark1]

@bucaneromax1 I go to a church that is exactly this. Its in Nimegen, in holland and the church is called " De Deur" .Its open to all races of people. If you get there then im called Ben so ask for me.

[@Richard-vn1xs]

Dockery Mississippi

[@Spiritree41]

I was born in te 60s. I live in the biblebelt is Of Alabama. This most definately the way it was. Mattter of fact some churches down here havent changed a bit....

[@woohah2968]

it seems more theatrical than anything else, imo.

[@yolandajohnson8685]

When Church Was Church

[@ThatsABiggon]

@bucaneromax1, Sorry I'm from California, so I don't know any addresses in the south, but I'm sure if you ask around for an old Baptist church or COGIC (Church of God In Christ) they'll be happy to assist you.

[@Spiritree41]

These religions were acted out as to be evil in Hollywood films. Many of black Americans distance themselves from the voodun religion, for many reasons, yet the tradition can be seen in this clip. I mean voodoo for instance. My thoughts on the vid is that there are so many similarities in my ppl dear, no matter what the religious practice. It is is a poor thought to you but honey you are not allowed to speak for me.

[@Spiritree41]

@AgentCarter And?

[@Spiritree41]

Dont get me wrong Voodoo is practice in many cultures by many group of people. Hoodoo primarly away for many Americans no matter what the race. No Pink this vid is not hoodoo or voodoo. Again we are wittnessing the simularities of worship in the people here...

[@Spiritree41]

Hoodoo and voodoo arent the same... Hoodoo is away, a magic known in American society especially the African American culture. Voodoo is a religion. With Priest and priestess following a particular order. This religion originated from Benin Africa still practice there today. No this video is not what I am speaking in reference too only the simularities of African origin practices and their worships....

[@pixelsword]

@AgentCarter No, because The Bible says to baptize.

[@isaialeuila9327]

Is this where pentecostalism came from ?

[@JourneyToMyDestiny]

It began in Acts 2 in the Upper Room of Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, and was revived in America with the outbreak of the post-slavery Azusa Street Revival.

[@bastardrob]

JESUS

[@Spiritree41]

No different than the possessions in voodoo. They all look the same except, they use wine as a representation of blood rather than an actual sacrafice....

[@Spiritree41]

@AgentCarter But this aint about you....

[@pinktaco646]

isnt called hoodoo..and not voodoo?

[@santostorresiii7033]

Deacon Alex Jones testimony KZbin

[@Spiritree41]

"voodun? this looks like christian services to me. Your comment. IT AINT ABOUT YOU! I say again, IT AINT ABOUT YOU! I would explain to you why we were making a comparison in the ways of these african american ppl in christianity and the spirit religion, but you would not understand. Your hostile behavior warrants no more feed back between us cause it is pointless ok. Dont reply to me anymore its a waste of our time. .

[@PatsBooks]

No I did not think it was funny at all. The spirit fell on her. It is funny to you because you are an outsider and you don't understand black religion and church ways. We worship with the entire voices. Sitting in one place like a dummy is against our nature. Our religions is participatory.

[@fohunter1]

That is not only ridiculous, its stupid. All Africans were "river cultist"? What the hell are you talking about?

[@moseseseseses]

These are the type of (ON FIRE FOR GOD ) churches that God sends His true elect to for true soul salvation and refreshing from above. What you see on tv today is ROLEX RELIGION, JET & VET RELIGION, CHURCHES INVOLVED WITH SENSELESS SPORTS, lovers of pleasure, more than lovers of God, professing that gain is godliness, from such turn away. Main denominational name religious bodies now setting up gay-jay preachers, homosexuals as their spiritual leaders, laodicean lost to low-life.Flee the filth.

[@Spiritree41]

@AgentCarter And?