Mother Bethel continues to be both a sacred place of worship and a living monument to faith, freedom, and African American history. Your generosity ensures that this legacy not only endures, but continues to grow.
We remain committed to preserving and promoting our historic campus, archives, and cultural treasures so that future generations may learn from and be inspired by this powerful story.
Every gift—no matter the size—makes a difference and helps us continue the work God has called us to do.
Thank you for partnering with us through your prayers, your presence, and your generosity.
The Mother Bethel AME Church Endowment Fund makes it possible to plan for both Mother Bethel’s current needs and future challenges, and to ensure that this legacy and work continue for another two centuries. Today, the fund provides a regular stream of-income to support church ministries. What the church does tomorrow depends largely upon you.
FOR MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED YEARS, African Americans have taken pride in a small parcel of land at Sixth & Lombard Streets. Mother Bethel Church–the mother church of the AME Church in America–stands on the oldest piece of real estate continuously owned by African Americans.
This cherished property is the site of a long legacy of historic achievements and remains an extremely active contemporary congregation today. But it needs your support now to ensure that God’s grace will continue to be celebrated, and that this monument to religious freedom will continue to stand proud, for the next two hundred years.
IT IS NOT SURPRISING that the first expression of religious freedom for African Americans should occur in Philadelphia. William Penn created a model of religious tolerance, first for his Society of Friends, the Quakers, and later for refugees from religious persecution throughout Europe.
Mother Bethel AME Church can trace its roots to the Free African Society, founded in 1787 by Richard Allen and Absalom Jones as a mutual aid society. Its members made regular contributions to the treasury, and disbursed funds to help members in times of illness or personal calamity. When white members of St. George’s Methodist Church attempted to segregate the galleries, a group of black worshippers walked out. They rallied within their Free African Society which, though not a church, was a community nucleus.
Differences over denominational styles and affiliation caused Richard Allen to depart from the Society. But he continued to nurture the worshippers and by 1791 he had signed a contract for the site to be used for a house of worship.
In 1793 he bought a blacksmith’s shop and had his team of horses drag it to the plot on Sixth Street, where it was renovated. By July 1794 a church called Bethel was dedicated. It is said that the blacksmith’s anvil became the first pulpit; today this symbol remains dear to African Methodists.
Allen was ordained in 1799 by Bishop Francis Asbury, the father of American Methodism. In 1816 he called together black Methodists nationally to create a new Methodist conference. This was the birth of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Allen was consecrated its first bishop.
Allen was a courageous and zealous spokesman in the campaign against slavery and the struggle for equal rights. In 1830 Bethel Church hosted the first national convention of African Americans. The church was a forum for many great orators and was a stop along the Underground Railroad.
The church and its reputation grew. The original blacksmith’s shop was replaced in 1805, a larger building was erected in 1841, and the present stone structure with its ornate stained glass windows was built in 1889 and restored in 1987. In a loving tribute, the 400-block of South Sixth Street was renamed Richard Allen Avenue. The church’s roots extend deep to Philadelphians today who support African American charitable causes and who dream of a better world tomorrow.
There are many ways to contribute to the work of God’s Kingdom:
Cash, check, or money order payable to Mother Bethel AME Church. An in-person credit card terminal is available on-site.
Through your bank's online bill pay service. Can be automated for recurring donations.
(Automated Clearing House) directly from your bank account
www.motherbethel.org (click the Online Giving button). Church contributions can be made weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually via the website.
Text the word 'GIVE' to 215-929-7169
Mail to:
Mother Bethel AME Church
419 S. 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Love Came Down
Donations Needed:
New Washcloths and Bath Towels, Books for Teenage Girls, Gaming System
Donation Deadline: Saturday, December 6
Donations Needed:
Stuffing Mix, Jars of Turkey Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Green Beans, Cake Mix and Icing, Cornbread Mix
Donation Deadline: Sunday, December 7
Drivers Needed for Basket Delivery: Saturday, December 13
Donations Needed:
Toys, Crafts, Books, Bikes/Scooters, Video Games, Headphones, Gift Cards, Board Games, Tablets
Donation Deadline: Sunday, December 7
Donations Needed:
Socks, Toiletries (Bar of Soap, Soap Dishes, Toothbrushes, Lotion, Toothpaste, Deodorant), Hats, Gloves, Scarves
Donation Deadline: Sunday, December 14
Please stay tuned for additional details.
Donations Needed:
Financial donations are welcome and needed. All donations can be placed in the Donation Boxes located in the Fellowship Hall. Please be sure to designate "Benevolence" on your giving envelope or electronic donation.
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419 S. 6th Street Philadelphia, PA 19147
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