Society Hill in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, March 30, 2008
1. Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
African Methodist Episcopal Church
founded on this site 1787
by
Richard Allen
(a former slave)
This ground, purchased by Richard Allen for a church, is the oldest parcel of real estate owned continuously by Negroes in the United States. This congregation is the world's oldest African Methodist Episcopal Church congregation.
The first church (1787) was an abandoned blacksmith shop, hauled to this place by elected a bishop in 1816.
"We all went out of the church (Old St. George's Methodist Church) in a body" and "they were no more plagued with us in their church."
Richard Allen
May our God continue to bless Mother Bethel and all her children, now scattered throughout the world, bringing faith and hope to millions of weary souls.
Ring the bells of freedom throughout the world
"Rise, shine, give God the glory for the year of jubilee."
Erected 1960 by Mother Bethel AME Church.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion
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Location. 39° 56.599′ N, 75° 9.119′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Society Hill. Marker is on South 6th Street north of Lombard Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 419 S 6th St, Philadelphia PA 19147, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mother Bethel (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (a few steps from this marker); Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church (a few steps from this marker); In Tribute to the Emanuel Nine (a few steps from this marker); The Richard Allen Statue and Memorial Courtyard (a few steps from this marker); The Philadelphia Tribune (a few steps from this marker); Free African Society (a few steps from this marker); Richard Allen (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, March 30, 2008
2. Main entrance to Mother Bethel.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2023, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 65 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 15, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
