Founder Of The African Methodist Episcopal Church

Up from Slavery.

Richard Allen's race and his religious experiences together shaped the course of his life and allowed him to become a leader of the free African American community in the northern states in the post-Revolutionary era. Allen was born into slavery in Philadelphia on 14 February 1760. After moving with a new owner to Delaware in 1767, Allen was converted to Methodism, drawn by its message of Christian freedom, and soon began preaching. An early success was the conversion of his owner, who allowed Allen to buy his own freedom in 1781. Moving back to Philadelphia, Allen became active as a lay preacher in the Methodist Church. By 1784 he came to the attention of Francis Asbury, the first Methodist bishop, who offered Allen the opportunity to preach in the South, although not to slaves. Allen turned this offer down, preferring...