It depends on the individual church as to whether they allow any musical instruments. Ours, on the west coast and again in Virginia, allowed harmonicas and jaw harps (although I remember my mother was uncomfortable with our instruments when my grandparents visited) So far as I know, none allows guitars or other stringed instruments. It's all part of the illogic they live with daily.

Whether Lomax or anyone else has compiled, translated or recorded their songs I have no idea. Someone may well have in the densely populated areas of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. I can find out.