Last Updated Nov 14th, 2019 at 4:52 pm

Two New York churches will be holding the controversial “Beyoncé Mass” this week. 

According to the Beyoncé Mass website, the events are “a womanist worship service that uses the music and personal life of Beyoncé as a tool to foster an empowering conversation about Black women—their lives, their bodies, and their voices.” 

The event had its genesis in 2018 when Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, CA hosted the first “Beyoncé Mass” to teach on issues related to women and race using the music and life of the famous singer.  The service, which usually draws a crowd of 50, drew nearly 900. 

Due to the popularity of the event, more churches are now reproducing it.  The two New York churches hosting the service this week are First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn and St. James Presbyterian Church of Harlem.