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Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
Walk on hallowed ground at Mother Bethel AME Church, the mother church of the nation’s first black denomination.
Founded in 1787, the church rests upon the oldest parcel of land in the United States continuously owned by African-Americans.
The church memorializes Rev. Richard Allen, its founding pastor and first bishop.
A basement crypt serves as a museum, housing Allen’s tomb and other intriguing artifacts, including original pews, the original pulpit constructed and used by Rev. Allen, old ballot boxes used to elect church officers, and muskets from when Allen raised black troops during the War of 1812.
While visiting the church, don’t miss its collection of huge stained-glass windows with both religious and Masonic images.
The AME Church rests upon the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by African-Americans.
The origins of Mother Bethel date back to 1787, when Rev. Richard Allen and Absalom Jones encouraged black worshippers to form their own congregations after being forced to sit in the balconies during services at some of the city’s traditionally white churches.
The church’s original structure was actually a wood frame blacksmith shop that Allen purchased and had moved to the church’s current location. In addition to his religious leadership, Allen was a prominent political and abolitionist activist.
Mother Bethel was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974.
Near Mother Bethel, at 6th and Lombard streets, stands a historic marker dedicated to the Free African Society, founded by wealthy sail-maker James Forten, Sr. and Reverends Allen and Jones. The Free African Society’s concepts of identity and unity among the black community became the forerunner for the nation’s first African American churches and civil rights institutions.
A few blocks away, at 336 Lombard Street, another marker specifically honors James Forten, who is believed to have amassed a fortune exceeding $100,000 utilizing a multi-ethnic work force. Additionally, he helped organize the first Negro Convention in Philadelphia in 1830.
Join Tarik “Black Thought” Trotter of the Legendary Roots Crew on a tourof Philly arts and culture, food, history, shopping and green spaces, including Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.
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watch “we got you: Philly by tarik” video series
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.