amen corner

noun

Etymology

Formed by compounding the interjection amen + the noun corner, reflecting the idea that this part of the church is typically occupied by the most fervent worshippers, who lead the responses to prayers or preaching, particularly characterized by shouting "Amen." See OED amen, int., OED corner, n. Compare OED amen corner, n. in amen, int. C2.

Meaning & use

  1. 2001–A seating section in a church, typically in the front, where members of the congregation participate especially fervently or enthusiastically, often loudly engaging in call-and-reponse and affirming the pastor or other speaker. In later use also, an audience or group which vocally supports a person's performance or expresses agreement and enthusiasm, occasionally implying unthinking or uncritical approval or support.

    cultural Call-and-response participation is considered cornerstone to the Black Church. The amen corner typically seats church leadership and respected members of the congregation such as church mothers, bishops and elders, as well as other enthusiastic members who model expected behavior during a service.

    Show quotationsHide quotations
    2001
    When I was a little boy, the churches couldn't afford an organ and the sisters sat in the "amen" corner and kept rhythm by clapping their hands.
    Independent 21 June i. 7/8
    2001
    THE PRESIDENT: All of us can agree that we need to offer every child in this country—every child— AUDIENCE: Amen! THE PRESIDENT: Got an "Amen corner" back there—every child—every child in this country the best education the world has to offer from cradle through a career.
    Sydney Morning Herald 18 September 15/2
    2003
    "Brother—," said the preacher, next day, to his kind-hearted friend of the amen corner.
    Wired July 80/1
    2006
    At 7:45 a Defender reporter barely got a seat in the amen corner.
    M. Ronan Symmetry & Monster iii. 29
    2009
    They enter the door, and go up the aisle with heavy and noisy tread, and attracting the attention of the entire audience, (who are generally alive to anything but the words of the preacher,) and finally take their seats away up in the Amen corner.
    Cinematical Nexis 27 December
    2010
    Aunt Hattie never missed a Sunday going to church and sitting in the "Amen Corner." Her presence was always helpful to the pastors of the church because she did what they called talkin' back to 'em all the time. That is to say, she would encourage them by constantly having something to say while they were delivering their sermons.
    J. Lashley Radio Sky iii. 39
    2014
    Girls who tweet in opposition to personal convictions just to draw an "Amen" corner are lame.
    M. Baram Gil Scott-Heron xxx. 206
    2015
    Sittin' in the amen corner, you will hum, hurry down, sunshine, and let tomorrow come.
    Y. Kraftmakher Exper. & Demonstrations Physics ed. 2 x. 695
    2024
    They took their seat far up in the "amen corner," directly behind the Williams family.
    S. MetzgerR. Mock Methuen Drama Handbook Gender & Theatre xiv. 256 in J. ‘B.’ WhalleyL. Miller
    2024
    The spiritually fired up sisters of the Amen Corner offered up a collective gasp. Laughter erupted in escalating waves from the ranks of the less religious.
    New York Times Nexis 22 September bu1

See also

  • church mother
  • moaners' bench