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Richard Allen: Apostle of Freedom

Presented by Historical Society of Pennsylvania at Historical Society of Pennsylvania

February 10, 2010

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February marks the 250th birthday of Bishop Richard Allen, a revered figure in African American history and one of the nation’s leading abolitionists. Though enslaved at birth, he eventually purchased his own freedom, started several businesses, and created one of the first independent black churches in America -- Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, now known as “Mother Bethel” AME. Allen was also the first African American figure to eulogize a president, the first black author (with Absalom Jones) to hold a federal copyright, and the first African American bishop in the United States. Join the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Library Company of Philadelphia for a celebration of Allen’s life and legacy. Pastors from Mother Bethel AME Church, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church, and Mother African Zoar United Methodist Church will participate in a panel discussion, along with history professor Richard Newman, author of Freedom’s Prophet: Bishop Richard Allen, the AME Church, and the Black Founding Fathers. The moderator will be University of Pennsylvania professor Anthea Butler, who specializes in African American religious history. Learn about Richard Allen’s many contributions to American religion, society, and culture. After the discussion, guests can view original documents from HSP and LCP that relate to Richard Allen. These documents will also be posted as an online exhibit on the official website. Special thanks to the Philadelphia Tribune, media sponsor for the event.