Social Victorians/1887 American Exhibition/Visit to a Congregational Church

Logistics

• 40 Indigenous Americans visit a church during their stay in England while they were there for the American Exhibition in London, 1887–1888.

Related Events

• The American Exhibition, which opened on 6 May 1887

Prior Events

• The Gladstones and their party visit the "Wild West" at Earl's Court before the opening.

The Event Itself

40 Indigenous Americans Attend Church of England Services

The Indigenous Americans visit a Congregational Chapel in West Kensington

<quote>shortly after their arrival at Earl's Court forty Sioux visited the Congregational Chapel at West Kensington, where they were seated in the transept. They enchanted the congregants by singing "Nearer My God to Thee" in Lakota. The Reverend Alfred Norris expressed his gladness that they had joined him in common worship. The Sioux repaid the compliment, with some in the party remarking through their translator that it made their hearts glad to be welcomed with considerable kindness and respect.13 [<note 13> "Newspaper clipping: Pall Mall Gazette, April 26, 1887, in Baker Scrapbook, 1887, Cody Collection, DPL." (Moses 292 n. 13).</note>]</quote> (Moses 46)

Who Was Present

• Red Shirt
• 39 other Indigenous Americans
• Church Staff
• The congregation

Bibliography

• Moses