Richard Allen
1760-1831
Richard and Sarah Allen
Pastor, African-American leader in early Philadelphia, Founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Level 2 biography
Fast Facts
Richard Allen was born a slave and bought his own freedom. He founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church. A highly respected leader of the African-American community, he opposed slavery and the deportation of black Americans.
Born: February 14, 1760, Philadelphia, Pa.
Married:
1. Flora [last name unknown] in 1790.Flora died 1801.
2.Sarah Bass [1764-1849] in 1801
Children: Richard Jr., James, John, Peter, Sarah, Ann.
Died: March 26, 1831, Philadelphia, Pa.
Early Life
Richard Allen was born on February 14, 1860. He was born a slave. His parents belonged to a man named Benjamin Chew. Benjamin Chew was a lawyer in Philadelphia. Richard was one of four children. The whole Allen family worked as household slaves. They cooked, cleaned, and took care of the Chew children.
When Richard was 7 years old, Benjamin Chew needed money. He sold the Allen family to a farmer named Stokley. Farmer Stokley lived in Delaware. The Allen’s worked on his farm for 10 years. Then Mr. Stokley needed money. He sold Richard’s mother and three of her children. Richard never saw them again.
Religion
Sometimes traveling preachers would come to the farm. They preached to the slaves in a clearing in the woods. Richard would go and hear them speak. When Richard was 17, a Methodist preacher came to speak. He explained the Methodist faith. Richard liked what he heard. The Methodist message was easy to understand. Methodists urged people to be responsible. They were against slavery. Richard became a Methodist. Soon he was helping to lead the prayers.
Farmer Stokley let his slaves go to worship every two weeks. Some people said that this was a mistake. They said that religion would make the slaves lazy. Richard and some others heard this. They decided to work harder. They wanted to prove that being Christians made them better people.
Farmer Stokley thought that religion was good for his slaves. Sometimes he invited the preachers to come to his farmhouse to preach to his family. One preacher was named Rev. Freeborn Garrettson. Rev. Garrettson had once owned slaves. Now he believed that slavery was wrong. He preached to Farmer Stokley. He convinced Mr. Stokley that it was wrong to own slaves. Even though Mr. Stokley now believed that everyone should be free, he owed a lot of money. He could not afford to set his slaves free. He said that he would let them buy their freedom if they could raise the money. Richard worked extra hours and did odd jobs. When he was 20, he had earned his purchase price. He paid $2000.00 to buy his freedom.
A Free Man
Now that Richard was free, he needed to earn a living. There were not many jobs. He did any work he could find. Richard cut wood. He worked in a brickyard. During the Revolutionary War he drove a wagon. This wagon delivered salt to Valley Forge from Rehoboth, Delaware. Richard liked to drive the wagon, because he could travel freely. Wherever he went, he preached. People liked his preaching. After the war was over, Richard became a full-time preacher. He would preach until he ran out of money. Then he would work as a laborer. He would earn enough money so that he could preach again.
A Preacher in Philadelphia
In 1786 Richard Allen was asked to preach at a church in Philadelphia. This church was called St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church. Richard was to preach at the 5 a.m. service each Sunday. He preached four more times each Sunday, in four other places. Many people who heard his preaching joined the church. Many of these people were African-American. The white people in the church became upset that so many African Americans were coming to worship. They tried to make it unpleasant for them. They would only let the African Americans stand on the sides of the church or sit in the gallery.
Richard Allen knew that the white people were unhappy. He wanted a church where African Americans would be welcome to worship. He asked several times to be allowed to start a separate black congregation. The people in charge of the church would not let him. They wanted to stay in control.
The Free African Society
Some of the black people who came to church were needy. Richard and his friends wanted to help them. They started a group called the Free African Society. This was not a religious group. Its job was to help people in need. The society encouraged people to live good lives. Members of the society paid dues. The money was used to help widows, poor people, and people who had no jobs.
A Break With St. George’s Church
St. George’s Church had many new members. The people needed places to sit. The church built a new gallery. Many African-Americans gave generously to the building fund. When the new gallery was built, African Americans were made to sit there. They could no longer sit in the old gallery.
Then something happened that changed things. One Sunday in November 1787 Richard went to church. He was with his friends Absalom Jones and William White. They were a little late. They sat in the old gallery because there was no room in the new one. They knelt down to pray. One of the ushers grabbed Absalom Jones and tried to throw him out. Absalom asked to stay until he had finished praying. The usher would not let him. This was too much. Richard and his friends walked out of the church. All of the other African American members followed them. They never returned.
Forming a New Church
Leaving St. George’s did not mean that the people did not want to worship. They just wanted to worship in peace. The Free African Society now took on a new role. It became a sort of church. People met for worship. Richard Allen and Absalom Jones were among the leaders of the group. The group developed their own form of worship. Some parts of it were like a Quaker meeting. They created their own marriage ceremony.
Some people wanted to move away from Methodism. Richard did not. Even though the Methodists at St. George’s had treated him badly, Richard believed in Methodist teaching. He thought that it had truth in it. He tried to make a link with the Methodists for his new young church. He did not succeed. As a result, in 1789 he left the Free African Society. He was their friend and their supporter, but not a member. Absalom Jones now led the group.
Working to Make a Living
Richard still needed to earn a living. He cleaned chimneys and saved his money. He opened a shoemaker’s shop on Spruce Street. His shop did well. He trained apprentices and hired assistants.
Contracting for a Building
In 1791 the Free African Society decided to build a church. Richard helped them ask for donations. Dr. Benjamin Rush and Robert Ralston both gave money for this project. The Society asked Richard to find a building site. Richard found a good spot. It was on the corner of 6th and Lombard Streets. He signed a contract for the land. Then the Free African Society changed its mind. They signed an agreement for another lot. This one was at 5th and Adelphia Streets. They left Richard with the other contract. Richard would not go back on his word. He honored the contract that he had signed. He made sure that he paid what was owed. This was very costly for him.
The Free African Society built its church at 5th and Adelphia. Episcopalian Bishop William White was very friendly and helpful. The group decided to join the Episcopal faith. They asked Richard to come and be a pastor for them. Richard would not leave Methodism. In 1804 Richard’s friend Absalom Jones became the first African American Episcopal priest. The new church was named the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas.
Some people felt the same way that Richard did. They wanted to follow the Methodist way. Richard bought a blacksmith’s shop. He had it moved to the land at 6th and Lombard Streets. He preached in this building. The Methodists still would have nothing to do with him.
Yellow Fever
In 1793 there was a yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. By the end of September, 100 people were dying each day. The rich people left town. The black community stayed.
In those days people believed that African Americans could not catch yellow fever. This wasn’t true, but it is what people thought. Mayor Matthew Clarkson asked Richard Allen and Absalom Jones to help in the crisis. Richard organized crews of people. They removed the dead bodies from all over the city. Absalom organized people to help the doctors and nurses. Before the epidemic ended, over 5000 people died. The African American community worked very hard. Some became sick and died. No one asked for payment.
After the epidemic was over, people came back to town. Dr. Benjamin Rush praised the African American community. He said they had saved lives. One man named Mathew Carey wanted to make trouble. He wrote a pamphlet. It said that the African Americans had stolen from the sick during the epidemic. Richard Allen and Absalom Jones wrote a pamphlet in 1794 saying that this was not true. Mathew Carey had not even been in Philadelphia at the time. How could he know what had happened?
Mayor Clarkson stopped the fuss. He praised the African American community in a public speech. The whole city knew Richard Allen as a man of honor. They knew that he served both God and other people.
Joining with the Methodists
Now the Methodist church became friendly toward Richard and his group. They supported Richard’s new church. The church was named Bethel. The first service in Bethel was held on July 29, 1794.
On November 3 1794 the people of Bethel wrote a statement. They said that Bethel was a separate church for African Americans. They could worship there without being harassed. But some Methodist leaders still wanted to control the church. They convinced the congregation to join the Methodist organization. They didn’t tell them what this meant. It meant that the Methodist leaders controlled the affairs of Bethel Church.
Things were peaceful for about 10 years. Richard started a school at the church. The congregation had started with 20 members. By 1804 it had 456 members. Then the Methodist leaders became demanding again. Bethel Church answered by writing a paper called the African Supplement. They stated that only Bethel controlled Bethel. It was time to break away from the Methodist organization.
Founding the African Methodist Episcopal Church
By now there were other black congregations. Richard had helped start a church in Baltimore. Other towns had black churches. They had talked about forming their own church organization. Now Richard contacted the other congregations. He called them to a conference. They met on April 9, 1816. The group agreed to form an organized church for black people. They would follow Methodist doctrine. They would appoint their own bishops. They called this new church the African Methodist Episcopal Church. They chose Richard Allen as their first bishop. He was 56 years old.
Richard Allen was born on February 14, 1860. He was born a slave. His parents belonged to a man named Benjamin Chew. Benjamin Chew was a lawyer in Philadelphia. Richard was one of four children. The whole Allen family worked as household slaves. They cooked, cleaned, and took care of the Chew children.
When Richard was 7 years old, Benjamin Chew needed money. He sold the Allen family to a farmer named Stokley. Farmer Stokley lived in Delaware. The Allen’s worked on his farm for 10 years. Then Mr. Stokley needed money. He sold Richard’s mother and three of her children. Richard never saw them again.
Religion
Sometimes traveling preachers would come to the farm. They preached to the slaves in a clearing in the woods. Richard would go and hear them speak. When Richard was 17, a Methodist preacher came to speak. He explained the Methodist faith. Richard liked what he heard. The Methodist message was easy to understand. Methodists urged people to be responsible. They were against slavery. Richard became a Methodist. Soon he was helping to lead the prayers.
Farmer Stokley let his slaves go to worship every two weeks. Some people said that this was a mistake. They said that religion would make the slaves lazy. Richard and some others heard this. They decided to work harder. They wanted to prove that being Christians made them better people.
Farmer Stokley thought that religion was good for his slaves. Sometimes he invited the preachers to come to his farmhouse to preach to his family. One preacher was named Rev. Freeborn Garrettson. Rev. Garrettson had once owned slaves. Now he believed that slavery was wrong. He preached to Farmer Stokley. He convinced Mr. Stokley that it was wrong to own slaves. Even though Mr. Stokley now believed that everyone should be free, he owed a lot of money. He could not afford to set his slaves free. He said that he would let them buy their freedom if they could raise the money. Richard worked extra hours and did odd jobs. When he was 20, he had earned his purchase price. He paid $2000.00 to buy his freedom.
A Free Man
Now that Richard was free, he needed to earn a living. There were not many jobs. He did any work he could find. Richard cut wood. He worked in a brickyard. During the Revolutionary War he drove a wagon. This wagon delivered salt to Valley Forge from Rehoboth, Delaware. Richard liked to drive the wagon, because he could travel freely. Wherever he went, he preached. People liked his preaching. After the war was over, Richard became a full-time preacher. He would preach until he ran out of money. Then he would work as a laborer. He would earn enough money so that he could preach again.
A Preacher in Philadelphia
In 1786 Richard Allen was asked to preach at a church in Philadelphia. This church was called St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church. Richard was to preach at the 5 a.m. service each Sunday. He preached four more times each Sunday, in four other places. Many people who heard his preaching joined the church. Many of these people were African-American. The white people in the church became upset that so many African Americans were coming to worship. They tried to make it unpleasant for them. They would only let the African Americans stand on the sides of the church or sit in the gallery.
Richard Allen knew that the white people were unhappy. He wanted a church where African Americans would be welcome to worship. He asked several times to be allowed to start a separate black congregation. The people in charge of the church would not let him. They wanted to stay in control.
The Free African Society
Some of the black people who came to church were needy. Richard and his friends wanted to help them. They started a group called the Free African Society. This was not a religious group. Its job was to help people in need. The society encouraged people to live good lives. Members of the society paid dues. The money was used to help widows, poor people, and people who had no jobs.
A Break With St. George’s Church
St. George’s Church had many new members. The people needed places to sit. The church built a new gallery. Many African-Americans gave generously to the building fund. When the new gallery was built, African Americans were made to sit there. They could no longer sit in the old gallery.
Then something happened that changed things. One Sunday in November 1787 Richard went to church. He was with his friends Absalom Jones and William White. They were a little late. They sat in the old gallery because there was no room in the new one. They knelt down to pray. One of the ushers grabbed Absalom Jones and tried to throw him out. Absalom asked to stay until he had finished praying. The usher would not let him. This was too much. Richard and his friends walked out of the church. All of the other African American members followed them. They never returned.
Forming a New Church
Leaving St. George’s did not mean that the people did not want to worship. They just wanted to worship in peace. The Free African Society now took on a new role. It became a sort of church. People met for worship. Richard Allen and Absalom Jones were among the leaders of the group. The group developed their own form of worship. Some parts of it were like a Quaker meeting. They created their own marriage ceremony.
Some people wanted to move away from Methodism. Richard did not. Even though the Methodists at St. George’s had treated him badly, Richard believed in Methodist teaching. He thought that it had truth in it. He tried to make a link with the Methodists for his new young church. He did not succeed. As a result, in 1789 he left the Free African Society. He was their friend and their supporter, but not a member. Absalom Jones now led the group.
Working to Make a Living
Richard still needed to earn a living. He cleaned chimneys and saved his money. He opened a shoemaker’s shop on Spruce Street. His shop did well. He trained apprentices and hired assistants.
Contracting for a Building
In 1791 the Free African Society decided to build a church. Richard helped them ask for donations. Dr. Benjamin Rush and Robert Ralston both gave money for this project. The Society asked Richard to find a building site. Richard found a good spot. It was on the corner of 6th and Lombard Streets. He signed a contract for the land. Then the Free African Society changed its mind. They signed an agreement for another lot. This one was at 5th and Adelphia Streets. They left Richard with the other contract. Richard would not go back on his word. He honored the contract that he had signed. He made sure that he paid what was owed. This was very costly for him.
The Free African Society built its church at 5th and Adelphia. Episcopalian Bishop William White was very friendly and helpful. The group decided to join the Episcopal faith. They asked Richard to come and be a pastor for them. Richard would not leave Methodism. In 1804 Richard’s friend Absalom Jones became the first African American Episcopal priest. The new church was named the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas.
Some people felt the same way that Richard did. They wanted to follow the Methodist way. Richard bought a blacksmith’s shop. He had it moved to the land at 6th and Lombard Streets. He preached in this building. The Methodists still would have nothing to do with him.
Yellow Fever
In 1793 there was a yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. By the end of September, 100 people were dying each day. The rich people left town. The black community stayed.
In those days people believed that African Americans could not catch yellow fever. This wasn’t true, but it is what people thought. Mayor Matthew Clarkson asked Richard Allen and Absalom Jones to help in the crisis. Richard organized crews of people. They removed the dead bodies from all over the city. Absalom organized people to help the doctors and nurses. Before the epidemic ended, over 5000 people died. The African American community worked very hard. Some became sick and died. No one asked for payment.
After the epidemic was over, people came back to town. Dr. Benjamin Rush praised the African American community. He said they had saved lives. One man named Mathew Carey wanted to make trouble. He wrote a pamphlet. It said that the African Americans had stolen from the sick during the epidemic. Richard Allen and Absalom Jones wrote a pamphlet in 1794 saying that this was not true. Mathew Carey had not even been in Philadelphia at the time. How could he know what had happened?
Mayor Clarkson stopped the fuss. He praised the African American community in a public speech. The whole city knew Richard Allen as a man of honor. They knew that he served both God and other people.
Joining with the Methodists
Now the Methodist church became friendly toward Richard and his group. They supported Richard’s new church. The church was named Bethel. The first service in Bethel was held on July 29, 1794.
On November 3 1794 the people of Bethel wrote a statement. They said that Bethel was a separate church for African Americans. They could worship there without being harassed. But some Methodist leaders still wanted to control the church. They convinced the congregation to join the Methodist organization. They didn’t tell them what this meant. It meant that the Methodist leaders controlled the affairs of Bethel Church.
Things were peaceful for about 10 years. Richard started a school at the church. The congregation had started with 20 members. By 1804 it had 456 members. Then the Methodist leaders became demanding again. Bethel Church answered by writing a paper called the African Supplement. They stated that only Bethel controlled Bethel. It was time to break away from the Methodist organization.
Founding the African Methodist Episcopal Church
By now there were other black congregations. Richard had helped start a church in Baltimore. Other towns had black churches. They had talked about forming their own church organization. Now Richard contacted the other congregations. He called them to a conference. They met on April 9, 1816. The group agreed to form an organized church for black people. They would follow Methodist doctrine. They would appoint their own bishops. They called this new church the African Methodist Episcopal Church. They chose Richard Allen as their first bishop. He was 56 years old.
Mother Bethel Church. This is the building that currently stands at 6th and Lombard Streets.
Marriage and Family
By now, Richard had a wife and family. His first wife, Flora, who he married in 1790, had died in 1801. Richard's second wife was named Sarah Bass. She was from Southern Virginia. Like Richard, she had been born a slave. Richard and Sarah were married in 1801. Richard and Sarah had six children.
Fighting Slavery
The problem of slavery was always on Richard’s mind. Some white people said that black people were happy as slaves. Richard wrote a pamphlet. He explained that this was not true at all. Black people were much happier as free men and women. Richard wrote a second pamphlet, urging slaves to have faith. It called on free blacks to work hard to make things better. In a third pamphlet, he praised white people who took risks to help slaves.
Thirty freed slaves arrived in Philadelphia. Richard allowed them to live in the church until they could find homes. From 1797 on, when runaway slaves passed through Philadelphia, Richard and Sarah sheltered them.
Some white people would snatch free blacks and sell them into slavery. These people were called “slavers.” One day a slaver came to Richard’s house. He brought a policeman with him. When Richard opened the door, the man grabbed him. He claimed that Richard was a runaway slave. The policeman took Richard to the police station. No one at the police station believed the slaver. They all knew Richard. They had seen his kindness and acts of charity. They knew how he had helped during the epidemic. They set him free right away. Richard brought charges against the slaver. The man went to prison for three months.
Working with Other Black Leaders
Richard and Absalom Jones often worked together. Another strong leader at this time was James Forten. Mr. Forten had a sail making business. Like Richard and Absalom, he was highly respected in Philadelphia.The three men urged African Americans to live good lives. In 1809 they founded the Society for the Suppression of Vice and Immorality.
In 1812 the United States was at war with England. The Committee of Defense of Philadelphia asked the three men to organize a regiment of black men to protect the city. They organized the Black Legion. It was made up of 2500 African American men. They stayed on guard for two days. Then the danger was past.
The American Colonization Society [ACS]
Southern slave owners did not like free African Americans. They said they were dangerous troublemakers. They knew that free African Americans were speaking out against slavery. They wanted to stop them. In 1816, some slave owners formed a group called the African Colonization Society. Their goal was to send free African Americans back to Africa. They called it colonization. Some of the members were quite famous. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Andrew Jackson, and Henry Clay were all belonged to the group. Some members felt that sending black people to Africa would give them a life free of prejudice. But many just wanted to get rid of black people.
Richard met with Absalom Jones, James Forten, and the Rev. James Gloucester. They called all African Americans to a mass meeting in Philadelphia. Over 3000 people came. Richard spoke to the group. He said that all black people were one, whether slave or free. If the free people went to Africa, who would speak for the slaves? Who would be left to help the slaves seek freedom?
Richard also stated that all citizens of the United States should be equal. He pointed out that during the yellow fever epidemic and the war of 1812, African Americans had done their duty as citizens. They had taken on great responsibility. They deserved to be treated as full citizens.
In 1817 the group held a second meeting. Richard spoke again. He explained that deporting free African Americans broke up families. It removed people from their churches and communities. Richard urged the government to allow African Americans to decide for themselves where they would live.
The fight against the ACS was a long one. In 1827 the first black newspaper was started. It was called Freedom’s Journal. Richard often wrote articles for this newspaper. He argued against slavery, and against colonization. By now, Richard had stopped making shoes. His assistants ran his shop. Richard was a full-time minister.
By 1830 around 2000 people had gone to Africa. Some state governments agreed with colonization. They put restrictions on African Americans. They hoped to make them unhappy enough to leave. In 1829 Pennsylvania’s government talked about taking the vote away from black men. Some states made it hard for free blacks to travel. The state of Ohio made it so hard for black people to live there that most moved to Canada.
The American Society of Free Persons of Color
In April 1830 a man named Hezekiah Grace visited Richard Allen. He asked Richard to hold a national convention of African Americans. Richard organized a meeting of black leaders at Bethel on September 15, 1830. 40 people came. They represented seven states. They agreed to hold a convention. They planned to organize a national network of black people. The people in this group could support each other.
The group they formed had a very long name. It was called The American Society of Free Persons of Color, for Improving Their Condition in the United States; for Purchasing Lands; and for the Establishment of a Settlement in Upper Canada. They said that all black people should pray and fast [not eat] on July 4, because the Declaration of Independence did not apply to them.
Richard formed some new organizations. One was called the Free Produce Society. Another was the Free Cotton Society. Members of these societies made a promise. They agreed to only buy goods that were produced without slave labor.
Later Life
By now, Richard was older. Bishop Morris Brown took over the work with the AME Church.
Richard became sick in 1831. He died at home on March 26, 1831. He was 71 years old.
Richard Allen’s Achievements
Richard Allen did many things with his life. He was the first African American ordained in the Methodist church, and the first black bishop in the United States. He founded the first black Christian denomination. He organized his people and helped them learn to strengthen each other. He fought for equality for African Americans.
Bethel Church is still at 6th and Lombard Street. The building is the fourth church on this site.
By now, Richard had a wife and family. His first wife, Flora, who he married in 1790, had died in 1801. Richard's second wife was named Sarah Bass. She was from Southern Virginia. Like Richard, she had been born a slave. Richard and Sarah were married in 1801. Richard and Sarah had six children.
Fighting Slavery
The problem of slavery was always on Richard’s mind. Some white people said that black people were happy as slaves. Richard wrote a pamphlet. He explained that this was not true at all. Black people were much happier as free men and women. Richard wrote a second pamphlet, urging slaves to have faith. It called on free blacks to work hard to make things better. In a third pamphlet, he praised white people who took risks to help slaves.
Thirty freed slaves arrived in Philadelphia. Richard allowed them to live in the church until they could find homes. From 1797 on, when runaway slaves passed through Philadelphia, Richard and Sarah sheltered them.
Some white people would snatch free blacks and sell them into slavery. These people were called “slavers.” One day a slaver came to Richard’s house. He brought a policeman with him. When Richard opened the door, the man grabbed him. He claimed that Richard was a runaway slave. The policeman took Richard to the police station. No one at the police station believed the slaver. They all knew Richard. They had seen his kindness and acts of charity. They knew how he had helped during the epidemic. They set him free right away. Richard brought charges against the slaver. The man went to prison for three months.
Working with Other Black Leaders
Richard and Absalom Jones often worked together. Another strong leader at this time was James Forten. Mr. Forten had a sail making business. Like Richard and Absalom, he was highly respected in Philadelphia.The three men urged African Americans to live good lives. In 1809 they founded the Society for the Suppression of Vice and Immorality.
In 1812 the United States was at war with England. The Committee of Defense of Philadelphia asked the three men to organize a regiment of black men to protect the city. They organized the Black Legion. It was made up of 2500 African American men. They stayed on guard for two days. Then the danger was past.
The American Colonization Society [ACS]
Southern slave owners did not like free African Americans. They said they were dangerous troublemakers. They knew that free African Americans were speaking out against slavery. They wanted to stop them. In 1816, some slave owners formed a group called the African Colonization Society. Their goal was to send free African Americans back to Africa. They called it colonization. Some of the members were quite famous. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Andrew Jackson, and Henry Clay were all belonged to the group. Some members felt that sending black people to Africa would give them a life free of prejudice. But many just wanted to get rid of black people.
Richard met with Absalom Jones, James Forten, and the Rev. James Gloucester. They called all African Americans to a mass meeting in Philadelphia. Over 3000 people came. Richard spoke to the group. He said that all black people were one, whether slave or free. If the free people went to Africa, who would speak for the slaves? Who would be left to help the slaves seek freedom?
Richard also stated that all citizens of the United States should be equal. He pointed out that during the yellow fever epidemic and the war of 1812, African Americans had done their duty as citizens. They had taken on great responsibility. They deserved to be treated as full citizens.
In 1817 the group held a second meeting. Richard spoke again. He explained that deporting free African Americans broke up families. It removed people from their churches and communities. Richard urged the government to allow African Americans to decide for themselves where they would live.
The fight against the ACS was a long one. In 1827 the first black newspaper was started. It was called Freedom’s Journal. Richard often wrote articles for this newspaper. He argued against slavery, and against colonization. By now, Richard had stopped making shoes. His assistants ran his shop. Richard was a full-time minister.
By 1830 around 2000 people had gone to Africa. Some state governments agreed with colonization. They put restrictions on African Americans. They hoped to make them unhappy enough to leave. In 1829 Pennsylvania’s government talked about taking the vote away from black men. Some states made it hard for free blacks to travel. The state of Ohio made it so hard for black people to live there that most moved to Canada.
The American Society of Free Persons of Color
In April 1830 a man named Hezekiah Grace visited Richard Allen. He asked Richard to hold a national convention of African Americans. Richard organized a meeting of black leaders at Bethel on September 15, 1830. 40 people came. They represented seven states. They agreed to hold a convention. They planned to organize a national network of black people. The people in this group could support each other.
The group they formed had a very long name. It was called The American Society of Free Persons of Color, for Improving Their Condition in the United States; for Purchasing Lands; and for the Establishment of a Settlement in Upper Canada. They said that all black people should pray and fast [not eat] on July 4, because the Declaration of Independence did not apply to them.
Richard formed some new organizations. One was called the Free Produce Society. Another was the Free Cotton Society. Members of these societies made a promise. They agreed to only buy goods that were produced without slave labor.
Later Life
By now, Richard was older. Bishop Morris Brown took over the work with the AME Church.
Richard became sick in 1831. He died at home on March 26, 1831. He was 71 years old.
Richard Allen’s Achievements
Richard Allen did many things with his life. He was the first African American ordained in the Methodist church, and the first black bishop in the United States. He founded the first black Christian denomination. He organized his people and helped them learn to strengthen each other. He fought for equality for African Americans.
Bethel Church is still at 6th and Lombard Street. The building is the fourth church on this site.
These signs are posted outside Mother Bethel Church
Reading Level 5.5. All photos by M. Yates. Posted July 1, 2011
