The Abyssinian Baptist Church

I have never attended this church, I worked in Harlem many years ago, I've traveled to many places around the globe and now, I live in a Southern state. I understand the Black church and how the Abyssinian church was one of the first post emancipation religious organizations that preached a Black liberation gospel. The white people who are complaining about not being able to attend to satisfy their curiosity, perhaps they don't remember all of the white "christian" churches that refused admission to Black people during Jim Crow era and after. Some white nationalist christian groups are outright Apartheidist. For others,perhaps you didn't pray BEFORE you chose to go. Have you considered your motives? It's NOT a museum... maybe it wasn't "your time" to have your ears tickled or be entertained. Think about IT!!! Your obvious need for spiritual growth should begin outside of a building. The negative complaints are a reflection on those who sought admission to a place where it appears, the Spirit of the Lord said ... NOPE! 🤔 🤷🏾‍♀️

Bad welcoming by a lady who pretended to speak French (it was not the case !!) “there was no space for tourists!! “In a place of worship you can not exclude pilgrims , there is always a space for a human!! … moreover when it is Xmas season. Exclusion and discrimination have not place in the kingdom of the lord moreover when there are a lof of available seats !! Bad bad bad

After reading the reviews and also being a pastors daughter my family and I won’t be attending this church. The common thing I have found was calling those coming to the church “Tourist”. As I was taught those coming to the lord are His child. And turning away souls is never good in the lords house. And after reading the “dress code” I found it not a place for my family. The Bible Says come as you are, this isn't of the lord.

A wonderful church, very welcoming and heartwarming people. Yes, there is a waiting line and 40 tourists is the limit. Absolutely fine....this is a church where people are worshipping and not a Broadway show. Members have the right to decide how many tourists they want to let in. This is very well organized and the staff was super friendly. There was no racism at all...the contrary, it was not a show...but a wonderful service. And it is nice to see the number of tourists is a bit controlled...otherwise it would become like so many historic places in the world ...overcrowded with people who all they are interested in are selfies....i.e. Livraria Lello in Porto....where locals cannot get in anymore. If one is seriously interested in the experience of an authentic Harlem Gospel service it is a wonderful place. If it is just for selfies...no fotografs allowed anyway...not the place to be. We were deeply touched and thank the staff and the church members for the warm welcome.

Best choir ever! Worshipping in the same church as Bonhoeffer and Dr. King will never be forgotten. Glory!

Awesome experience!! They were very accommodating to visitors and Pastor Mike was amazing!

Great place of worship. The only criticism is that they actually refused to let men in the church who were wearing shorts. That’s unchristian-like. I mean it’s the house of God, not an exclusive club.

Very welcoming community. Excellent singing and the thoughts shared by the pastor were on point.