"I am a bridge between the old German congregation that was and the new American congregation that will be," he said.

In 1767, the meeting began considering whether slavery was compatible with Christianity, the first instance of an American congregation taking up the question.

For much of the last decade, Ammerman's work has focused on American congregations.

Black church refers to churches which minister predominantly African American congregations.

That decision deeply offended some American congregations and Anglican provinces.

It is used today by North American Amish congregations.

American congregations are located primarily in the New York City and Chicago metropolitan areas.

The first American congregation was founded near Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1719.

This division process was common to many American congregations of the time.

St. Mary's was the city's first African American Episcopal congregation.