John Wiley

The Soul of Magic City John Wiley

Historians of American religion have recently written about the existence of religious diversity, which was especially evident in the American South. Although many have tended to target their research on social issues and politics, denominational distinctiveness in theological beliefs and practices ought to be seen as yet another form of diversity. Roanoke, Virginia may not be as well known as other Southern cities, such as Richmond or Atlanta, but being birthed as a "boomtown" during the Progressive Era, it offers itself as a unique example of how the religious institutions helped shape the early growth of the city, and cyclically, how the city shaped the religious institutions as well. Protestants, Catholics, and even religious minorities had come to the "Magic City," as Roanoke was nicknamed.