Church Founder And Bishop

Life.

Richard Allen was born a slave in Philadelphia in 1760 and sold to a man in Delaware while still a child. He experienced a religious conversion as a teenager, joined the Methodist Church, and began preaching the Gospel to all who would listen. Though Allen's master was not a churchgoer, he permitted Allen and his brother to attend Methodist meetings. At Allen's request, he also allowed a renowned Methodist preacher to speak in his house. The sermon convinced the master that slaveholding was wrong, and he gave Allen the opportunity to purchase his freedom. Allen worked at a variety of jobs and traveled extensively, preaching and offering religious counsel as he went.

Philadelphia Ministry.

Once free, Allen returned to Philadelphia, where he had been asked to minister to the black members of Saint George's Church. He was extremely successful and added...