When I was in college, I listened to a speaker talking about the history of blues in the United States and as an aside gospel music, etc. One thing he talked about I thought was interesting was the history or purpose of religion in African American culture. He said, at least historically, church wasn't just about worship. It was like an all day event. People would go to church and then afterwards, there would be a picnic or gathering of the church goers. It was a community event. As neither an African American, nor someone who's family was particularly social at church, I never experienced that and was caught completely by surprise in the fact that much more revolved around church than going for an hour and being bored.