Afro-Atlantic Catholics: America's First Black Christians - Paperbackby Jeroen Dewulf (Author) This volume examines the influence of African Catholics on the historical development of Black Christianity in America during the seventeenth century. Black Christianity in America has long been studied as a blend of indigenous African and Protestant elements. Jeroen Dewulf redirects the conversation by focusing on the enduring legacy of seventeenth century Afro Atlantic Catholics in the broader history of African American