IV

has long been the main religion in Appalachia. Religion in Appalachia is characterized by a sense of independence and a dis-trust of religious hierarchies, both rooted in the tendencies of the region’s pioneers, many of whom had been influenced by the “”

movement in England. Many of the religions brought from Europe underwent modifications or factioning during the (especially the ) in the early 19th century. A number of 18th and 19th-century religious traditions are still practiced in parts of Appalachia, including natural water (or “creek”) , rhythmically chanted preaching, congregational shouting, , and . While most church-goers in Appalachia attend fairly well organized churches affiliated with regional or national bodies, small unaffiliated congregations are not uncommon in rural mountain areas.