AME Church History

BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Pretoria, South Africa NPO # 008-616 
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Richard Allen
1760-1831

The history of the AME Church dates back to 1787, when a number of persons of Africa descent, imbued with the Spirit of independence, then in the American atmosphere, and led by Richard Allen , a black local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, withdrew from St. George's Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, because the white Christians had segregated the "Africans" into the gallery of the church, and otherwise placed a badge of inferiority upon them. This African group established a "society" of their own, in which any person, regardless of his color, could enjoy the worship of God with freedom from restriction or segregation, also so that they could guide their people the better, and aid the less fortunate. "Africans" of other Pennsylvania localities, and of New York , New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland followed the example of the Philadelphia, and formed distinctive "African" congregations often with the encouragement of liberal white Christians. In April, 1816 representatives, sixteen in all, from Bethel African Churches in Baltimore, Maryland; Wilmington, Delaware; Attleboro, Pennsylvania and Salem, New Jersey, met in Philadelphia and formed a church organization or connection under the title of "The African Methodist Episcopal Church." The term "Africa" was then prevalently used to designate the people of color, just as term "Negro" and "black people" are now used). They adopted the policy and doctrine of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with some slight changes, and selected and consecrated of their number, Richard Allen, as their bishop. During the first fifty years, the church was continued almost entirely to the Northern States, as it could not conveniently operate among the slaves in the South, although in Charleston, South Carolina, New Orleans, Louisiana, Louisville, Kentucky, and some few other places, there were small organizations among free blacks. In Boston and New Bedford, Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island; New York and Buffalo, N.Y; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C; Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis Sacramento, California and other Northern and Western cities, where there were a hundred or more blacks, churches were organized. In these places the "AME Church", as it is called for short, became the most powerful agency for creating and preserving the morale of blacks, and organizing them for good. It was the chief focal point of most of their creative efforts and its ministers became leaders in spiritual, moral, social and civic affairs. It was the chief social agency, and greatest inspiration for people and its leadership was everywhere recognized. The emancipation of the slaves in 1863 opened up great missionary field for the AME in South Africa, which it was not slow to seize. Before the Civil War was over, scores of preachers and teachers had been sent as missionaries to the South, the first going from New York in 1863. The church grew rapidly and was welcomed by the freemen as one of the evidences of their freedom. The former slaves found in the church one of their first opportunities for self expression, self-help and self government, and worship "under their own vine and fig tree". Men flocked to the ministry of the church and were accepted regardless of their lack of education. The AME church, however, recognized the need of education, and schools were established in the church buildings wherever possible. "We are rising" became the slogan for blacks, inspired by the AME and other churches. To them was committed almost the entire life of people, so far as inspiration was concerned. The AME church today has approximately two million members and followers throughout the United States, the Caribbean Island, West Central and South Africa. It is supervised by 19 Bishops, about 300 Presiding Elders and 5,000 Pastors.

Our motto

"God our Father, Christ our Redeemer, and Man our Brother".

Districts of the Church Connectionally

The History of AME Church in Africa











Page maintained by : Rev. Pretty Harrison
Last update 6 February 2004