He Left Us Blueprints For Liberation In This Iconic Church

Tired of segregation infiltrating sacred spaces, Richard Allen knew it was time to build a church for our people. In 1793 Allen built Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, quickly becoming one of Philadelphia's most influential Black institutions. 

But white Methodist preachers wouldn’t stand for this, so they got on their knees and prayed to the devil. 

In 1815, these conniving preachers went to court and sued for the rights to sell Mother Bethel and the land it was on.The gag? They won. 

The bigger gag? Allen was ready with one of the biggest comebacks in Black church history. 

Drawing on the power of community, Allen raised $10,125 and bought back the church. 

Allen continued preaching and with his wife Sarah he turned Mother Bethel into an Underground Railroad stop on the low. 

Allen died in 1831. He was buried in the basement of Mother Bethel, where his tomb can still be visited to this day.

Allen’s legacy lives on in Mother Bethel, a tangible reminder of what is possible when we work with Spirit and community to resist anti-Blackness.

Let’s be so about building spiritual communities with strong, lasting foundations that no matter what anti-Blackness throws at us, we too will be left standing.