How did racial segregation affect the Pentecostal movement in the United States?

The Pentecostal movement in the United States was significantly shaped by the racial dynamics of the early 20th century. While the movement’s foundational Azusa Street revival, led by African American minister William Seymour, was characterized by an inclusive, interracial spirit that welcomed worshipers from diverse backgrounds, this openness eventually faced substantial resistance.1

As Pentecostalism expanded into the Deep South, the movement struggled to maintain its initial inclusive vision. It increasingly became segregated along the same racial lines that defined older, established denominations. Despite this trend toward segregation, some early organizations were explicitly founded as interracial fellowships, such as the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and the group that became the Pentecostal Church of God.1

Over time, these divisions persisted within the institutional structure of the movement. For instance, the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America, established in 1948, remained limited to predominantly white churches for decades. It was not until 1994 that this organization dissolved and was replaced by the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, an effort to foster formal, interracial relationships with major African American Pentecostal denominations.2