Society Hill in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Richard Allen Statue and Memorial Courtyard

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 15, 2023

1. The Richard Allen Statue and Memorial Courtyard Marker

Inscription. In 1946, a journey began to erect a fitting monument to Bishop Richard Allen, the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. That year, the Richard Allen Statue Committee was organized to petition the Philadelphia Park Commission for a permit to build the statue on public land. Time passed and the plan lost momentum–but it never died. In 2014, a renewed effort to see the vision and project to completion was spearheaded by Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram, Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District, Host Bishop for the 50th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference and the Chairman of the Bicentennial Committee. The statue and beautiful courtyard in which it now stands are a testament to Bishop Ingram's resolve and the overwhelming support of First District members to have them installed in time to be revealed to a great crowd of witnesses, the thousands of African Methodists and distinguished visitors from around the world who would be in Philadelphia to attend the General Conference and celebrate the Church's historic 200th Anniversary. On Sunday, July 3, 2016, a 70 year-old dream was realized with the unveiling and dedication of the Richard Allen Statue and Memorial Courtyard.

Erected 2016.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans

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• Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 3, 2016.

Location. 39° 56.588′ N, 75° 9.118′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Society Hill. It is at the intersection of Lombard Street and South 6th Street, on the right when traveling west on Lombard Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 543 Lombard St, Philadelphia PA 19147, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: In Tribute to the Emanuel Nine (here, next to this marker); Richard Allen (here, next to this marker); The Philadelphia Tribune (here, next to this marker); Free African Society (here, next to this marker); Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church (here, next to this marker); Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (a few steps from this marker); Lombard Street Riot (within shouting distance of this marker); Mother Bethel (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 15, 2023

2. The Richard Allen Statue and Memorial Courtyard Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,015 times since then and 262 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.