Holly Grove tends to resist innovation and clings to tradition. The Black churches in East Baton Rouge Parish mentioned here partially represent a gamut of denominations and a varied observance of folk tradition. These churches are extremely important to the Black community, as well as to folklorists, anthropologists, ethnomusicologists, and any other students of Black culture and tradition. They have been, and still are, great storehouses of liturgical, ideological, rhetorical, musical, and oral narrative traditions. The musical tradition occupies a paramount role in the Black church.
Music is a necessary part of Black religion.
Indeed, a church service without music is unimaginable. Religious music often enters the lives of church members during childhood. Most Black religious music, especially as sung at this age, is passed on aurally. In the Black community, children's families often teach religious values and practices at a very early age. Information gathered from several adults who were interviewed and children who were observed strongly suggests that playing church is a common tradition among Black Baptist and Pentecostal children.