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Religious Leader

Richard Allen dedicated his life to the betterment of black people during the early days of the new American republic. His skills as an organizer, religious leader, and spokesman for truth made him a model for many men and women to follow.
Allen was born a slave in Philadelphia. Through hard work as a wagoner and a woodcutter during the Revolutionary War, he was able to earn enough money to buy freedom for both himself and his brother. Once free, he immediately began preaching the gospel to black men and women in the Philadelphia area.

The major focus of Richard Allen's life was the church. He attended the organizing conference of the general Methodist church in 1784 and worshipped within that denomination for three years. Increasingly strict measures were being instituted against blacks and whites worshipping together, and, in 1787. Allen led a group in the founding of a church for blacks. Within two years, the group had constructed a new church, which they named Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. It served as the center of worship for the blacks of Philadelphia.

Richard Allen's influence spread beyond the local church doors. In 1816, he was the major force behind the joining together of sixteen independent black Methodist congregations into one denomination, the African Methodist (A.M.E.) Episcopal church. Richard Allen became the first bishop of the A.M.E church, and held that position until his death in 1831.

FLASH-FACTS

Founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Was an early leader in the movement to improve conditions for black people
Led the first general mass protest meeting blacks