Soul Sanctuary is the first photographic book to capture the essence and rhythms of the black Christian church. It is a multidenominational journey into the heart of the black worship experience. Photographer Jason Miccolo Johnson traveled across the country, visiting small rural and urban storefront churches and large inner-city and suburban mega churches, taking some 15,000 photographs, 165 of which are included in the book.

Soul Sanctuary captures the spirit of the black church through arresting images of congregants’ facial expressions and body language, their uniforms and dress, and the dignity of their worship. Baptisms, weddings, funerals, annual day celebrations, ecstatic soloists, choir directors, prophetic preachers, angelic liturgical dancers, and peaceful moments of prayer and praise are captured in Johnson’s intimate photographs.

Evocative essays by church leaders and noted theologians speak to the pictures and set the stage for a “visual call and response” reminiscent of turning the pages in a precious family album. Selected quotes from the Bible and from some of the subjects themselves add a soulful and personal dimension to the book.

Exhibit Soul Sanctuary-Images of the African American Worship Experience