Have you ever wondered what it was like for Phillis Wheatley to worship upstairs in Boston's Old South Meeting House? Or about other church members of African descent who worshipped in segregated churches in 18th century New England? 

Join Revolutionary Spaces and Old South Church in Boston on March 10th as Richard Boles, historian and author of Dividing the Faith: The Rise of Segregated Churches in the Early American North, talks about the circumstances of Native Americans and enslaved African Americans in New England who worshipped, were baptized, and took communion in predominantly white churches with segregated seating and other race-based proscriptions. 

Banished to the Balcony will be moderated by Reverend June R. Cooper, Theologian in the City, Old South Church in Boston. The program will begin with a poetry reading of Old South Meeting House, a poem by January Gill O’Neil, read by Dr. Deb Washington, Old South Church in Boston, chair: (G)RACE Speaks.

This program is co-sponsored by Old South Church in Boston and is free and open to the public thanks to the generous support of the Lowell Institute. Pre-register now to reserve your spot at Old South Meeting House, located at 310 Washington Street in downtown Boston. Doors will open at 5:45 PM and the program will begin at 6:00 PM. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.