Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church

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Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church is located in Pennsylvania
Location: 419 S. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 39°56′35″N 75°9′9″W / 39.94306°N 75.1525°W / 39.94306; -75.1525
Built/Founded: 1794
Architect: Unknown
Architectural style(s): Romanesque
Governing body: Private
Added to NRHP: March 16, 1972
NRHP Reference#: 72001166[1]

The Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1794 by Richard Allen, an African-American Methodist minister. The church has been located at the corner of Sixth and Lombard Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, since that time, making it the oldest continuously-owned property by African Americans.[2] The church was organized by African-American members of St. George's Methodist Church who walked out due to racial segregation in the worship services.

It was one of the first African-American churches in the United States, dedicated July 29, 1794, by Bishop Francis Asbury. On October 12, 1794, Reverend Robert Blackwell announced that the congregation was received in full fellowship in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The church has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

In 1816 Allen brought together black congregations from the region to organize the new African Methodist Episcopal Church denomination. He was elected bishop of this church.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23. http://www.nr.nps.gov/. 
  2. ^ Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church

[edit] External links