Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal - Philadelphia, PA
Posted by: 
ODragon
N 39° 56.605 W 075° 09.119
18S E 487016 N 4421488
One of the oldest black churches in the US.
Waymark Code: WM4WW3
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 10/07/2008
Views: 11
11 Quick Facts!
1) Mother Bethel Church was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
2) AME is the second-oldest black congregation (after St. Thomas's in Philadelphia) in the country.
3) The ground on which Mother Bethel stands is the oldest parcel of real estate continuously owned by African-Americans in the United States.
4) The second Prince Hall Masonic Lodge was founded here.
5) Lucretia Mott, abolitionist and women's rights advocate, abolitionist and journalist Frederick Douglass, and William Still, a moving force behind the Underground Railroad, were among those who spoke from the rostrum at Mother Bethel.
6) Ben Franklin contributed money to the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
7) A female Mother Bethel preacher, Jarena Lee, was one of first black women to speak out publicly against slavery.
8) Richard Allen was a frequent contributor to the "Freedom's Journal," the first newspaper in American to be owned and published by blacks.
9) On the lower level, a James Dupree mural depicts the history of the church.
10) The first black boy scout troop was founded at Mother Bethel Church.
11) Today the AME Church comprises 2.5 million members, 8,000 ministers, and 6,200 congregations in 19 Episcopal districts and hosts 115 annual conferences.
Active church?: Yes
Year Built: 01/01/1889
Service times:
Sunday 8am and 11am
Website: [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions:At least one photo. You're welcome to be in the picture, but please, No GPSr.