What Is A.M.E?

A.M.E. is an abbreviation for African Methodist Episcopal Church. The word, AFRICAN, means that our church was organized by people of African descent and heritage. It does not mean that our church was founded in Africa, or that it is only for people of African descent. The term African-American was not used in 1787. During this time period, all of our ancestors were called African.

Brief History

In the year 1787, Reverend Richard Allen and Reverend Absalom Jones withdrew from the St. George Methodist Church in Philadelphia because of “unkind treatment” and restrictions placed upon worshipers of African descent. They founded The Free African Society, which was the beginning of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1816, Richard Allen called together 16 representatives from Bethel African Church in Philadelphia and churches in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. A connectional Church was organized as the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Reverend Richard Allen was the founder and the first Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Definition

African

Our Church founders were of African descent. This is what Black people were called in 1787.

 

Methodist

Our Church is a member of the family of Methodist Churches.

 

Episcopal

This is how our Church operates. In the Episcopal form of Church government, Bishops are the chief executives and officers.