BLACK HEROES
RICHARD ALLEN (1760 - 1831)
On a November day in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Richard Allen and his friends entered St. George's Methodist Church. They headed for the chairs that had been specifically for Blacks. To their surprise the sexton directed them to the upstairs gallery. Though they had always been allowed to sit in the sanctuary, the group obeyed the sexton's order. Before they had reached the gallery, a church leader began to pray. The group stopped and kneeled.
The sexton ordered them to get up. They refused to stand in the middle of a prayer. When the prayer ended, the group walked out of St. George's Church never to return. The actions of the group is believed to have been the first protest by free Blacks in the United States.
Richard Allen founded a Black church a few years later. He earned the title, "Father of the Black Church."
Richard was born into slavery in Philadelphia in 1760. As a boy he and his family were sold to a plantation owner in Dover, Delaware. Richard felt fortunate that his entire family was sold to the same owner. Families were usually split up when sold. However, not long afterward, his father, mother and three of his siblings were sold to another plantation owner. Sad and depressed because of the circumstances, Richard turned to God.
Richard learned to read in the safety of a nearby woods. Here, he studied the Bible. He learned that God loved all people and didn't judge them by the color of their skin. In God's eyes, every man was created equal. Richard dedicated himself to God and began to preach the Gospel.
Richards master allowed him and his brother to hire themselves out. They saved the money they earned and bought their freedom. Richard then travelled through Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, preaching the Word of God to both Blacks and Whites.
Richard returned to Philadelphia. In 1794, he established Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1830, Richard was elected the president of the first Black convention. The convention was held for the means of abolishing slavery and ending discrimination. Black leaders attended from all over the United States.
Richard has been called the "first national Black leader." He and a friend, Absalom Jones, organized the Free African Society. It was one of the first Black organizations in the US.
Richard also formed a school for Black children and a night school for Black adults. He dedicated his life to the freedom of his people. Richard died in 1831, at the age of 71.
Latest Articles