From Labor to Reward

From Labor to Reward is a pioneering, epic, and groundbreaking book that fills a huge void in American religious history, black religious history, and traditions of the black church. Until now, no other book has chronicled the rich religious experiences of black church beginnings in the Bay Area. Martha C. Taylor provides penetrating insight into the early makings of the black church in the Bay Area. With attention to detail, Taylor captures the joys, frustrations, and unity of black people who left the segregated Deep South, came to the Bay Area seeking freedom only to face similar adversities of segregation, racism, housing discrimination, KKK threats of violence, and other socio-political barriers. Remarkably, these early pioneers brought their culture, traditions, and experiences from the South and built a strong vibrant religious community. From Labor to Reward speaks for the legacy of African Americans who were gospel social activists using the church as the anchor. Multiple sources of research and interviews were gathered from church records, newspaper clippings, and other written sources to tell this unknown story. This book is sure to be a classic and a must read for all persons interested in history.

""Martha Taylor has developed a very significant book in chronicling a much needed history of the development of African-American Churches in the Bay Area during the period from 1848-1972. . . . The author's understanding of the development of religious communities in Diaspora is impressive, realistic, and informative, and deserves our attention.""
--Paul M. Martin, Professor of Pastoral Theology, American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley

""Taylor's passionate, probing perspective unveils the rich history of Black Church beginnings in the San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond cities. Through meticulous research, she brings to light the struggles, strengths, and triumphs of everyday people who built strong religious communities in the face of adversity, racism, and political oppression. Scholars, clergy, and lay people will be intrigued and stimulated by this one-of-a-kind history book."" 
--Barbara Lee, United States Representative, California 13th Congressional District

""This detailed history of the African-American Church in the Bay Area is a monumental contribution to the rich history of the Black Church in America in general. We all owe Dr. Taylor a debt of gratitude.""
--James Perkins, President, Progressive National Baptist Convention Inc.

""This book is the [result] of meticulous historical research . . . to narrate the faith struggle and sacrifices of our African American pioneers and institution builders. May this book be placed on the shelves of our libraries in our homes, churches, and schools. May this book become one of the text books in the American religious history courses that are taught in seminaries.""
--J. Alfred Smith Sr., Pastor Emeritus, Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland; Professor Emeritus, American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley


Martha C. Taylor is the Historian for the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. and church historian for the historic Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland, California. She formerly served as adjunct professor for the San Francisco Theological Seminary, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, Doctor of Ministry and Masters of Divinity programs. Taylor is dually ordained as an American Baptist and Presbyterian Minister. She resides in Oakland, California.