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Richard Allen
Philadelphia, United States
Archival Overview
Founder and first bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the first independent Black denomination in the United States, and foremost civil rights pioneer.
Biographical Record
Richard Allen was born into slavery in Philadelphia and converted to Methodism at seventeen, purchasing his freedom in 1780 through manual labor. In 1787, when white trustees attempted to pull Black worshipers from their knees at St. George's Church, Allen led a historic walkout.
In 1794, Allen dedicated Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, which became a vital stop on the Underground Railroad. In 1816, he unified regional congregations into the African Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as its first bishop and presiding over the first National Negro Convention in 1830.
Key Life Milestones
Founding Mother Bethel AME
Established Mother Bethel Church, the oldest property continuously owned by African Americans.
First AME Bishop
Founded the national African Methodist Episcopal Church, elected as its first bishop.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialPhiladelphia, United States