Bishop Richard Allen (Image courtesy of National Archives)
Birthday celebrations are always a wonderful occasion. It must be especially jubilant when it is for someone’s 266th!
That is just what is planned for Friday, Feb. 13, as the members of the AME Community and Friends celebrate the exciting occasion of Bishop Richard Allen’s 266th birthday. The founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church lived a robust life and it, along with his lasting legacy, will be celebrated with the occasion.
The public is welcome to attend the event as the church gathering will commemorate Bishop Richard Allen Park at 227 Brook St., in Bryn Mawr (Radnor Township). A wreath-laying ceremony will be held at 12:15 p.m.
In 1816, Allen worked to unite other African Methodist congregations, combining groups from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland to officially form the AME. The meeting for its formation occurred in Philadelphia, where he was the elected bishop.
“Allen spent the remainder of his life tending his station on the Underground Railroad, along with his wife Sarah Bass,” said the National Archives’ article “Rediscovering Black History.” “He also worked with community leaders to open schools for African Americans. His life’s work established ways African Americans (both freed and enslaved) could organize, learn, and help one another.”
Born in 1760, Allen worked through his life to blaze a way for all.
“These efforts set the wheels in motion for others to lead across the country,” said the article.
Allen died in his home, March 26, 1831. He is now buried in the basement of Mother Bethel in Philadelphia.
Incorporated in 1816, the AME Church has created the event as part of its “Celebrating Black Excellence, from America’s Beginning” United States Semiquincentennial. As a country, the nation also has an important birthday to celebrate this July: its 250th birthday.
Locally, the Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1794. The land for its establishment was purchased in 1791.
For more information on the birthday celebration, call 215-925-0616 or email [email protected].
