Black Methodism Beginnings Challenges Changes

Black MethodismBlack Methodism

BeginningsBeginningsChallengesChallengesChangesChanges

African Methodist Episcopal ChurchAfrican Methodist Episcopal Church

The African Methodist Episcopal Church The African Methodist Episcopal Church was started in 1787 in Philadelphia, was started in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by a group of disinherited Pennsylvania, by a group of disinherited Americans whose forefathers came Americans whose forefathers came from Africa. The leader of this group from Africa. The leader of this group was a 27 year old "African," Richard was a 27 year old "African," Richard Allen. At that time the word "African" Allen. At that time the word "African" was used to designate those persons was used to designate those persons whom we now call African American.whom we now call African American.

Five Characteristics of Black Five Characteristics of Black Church ExperienceChurch Experience

Black controlledBlack controlled Involved in the everyday life of the peopleInvolved in the everyday life of the people Provide members with a sense of Provide members with a sense of

worthiness and identityworthiness and identity Emphasize evangelism with direct witness Emphasize evangelism with direct witness

to saving love of Jesus Christto saving love of Jesus Christ Adaptive to changing conditions of society Adaptive to changing conditions of society

while challenging oppressive forceswhile challenging oppressive forces

Early Methodism Response to Early Methodism Response to Black AmericansBlack Americans

Offered emotionalism and religious Offered emotionalism and religious enthusiasm (Revivalism)enthusiasm (Revivalism)

Lagged behind Baptists in obtaining Lagged behind Baptists in obtaining black congregationsblack congregations

Revivalism offered escape from Revivalism offered escape from intolerable economic and social intolerable economic and social conditionsconditions

Remember Betty?Remember Betty?

Black “girl” in Philip Embury’s Class at the Black “girl” in Philip Embury’s Class at the John Street Methodist Society in New York, John Street Methodist Society in New York, 1766.1766.

Several Northern societies integrated Several Northern societies integrated earlyearly

Southern societies begin practicing Southern societies begin practicing segregation and racial selection earlysegregation and racial selection early

Asbury concerned about racial Asbury concerned about racial segregation but knew no way to affect segregation but knew no way to affect changechange

Early Black MethodismEarly Black Methodism

Whatcoat’s journals record increased Whatcoat’s journals record increased incidences of segregation, especially incidences of segregation, especially concerning the sacrament of Holy concerning the sacrament of Holy Supper.Supper.

Asbury and Whatcoat “adjust” to the Asbury and Whatcoat “adjust” to the growing white desire for segregated growing white desire for segregated worshipworship

General Conference 1800 allows for the General Conference 1800 allows for the ordination of black preachers as deaconsordination of black preachers as deacons

Elder ordination not until 1812Elder ordination not until 1812

Early Black MethodismEarly Black Methodism Harry Hosier (1750-1806) Harry Hosier (1750-1806)

was born a slave in North was born a slave in North Carolina. Following the Carolina. Following the Revolutionary War he Revolutionary War he gained his freedom from gained his freedom from his Maryland master, and his Maryland master, and was converted to was converted to Methodism. His sermon, Methodism. His sermon, "The Barren Fig Tree," "The Barren Fig Tree," preached at Adam's preached at Adam's Chapel, Fairfax County, Chapel, Fairfax County, Virginia, in May of 1781, Virginia, in May of 1781, was the first recorded was the first recorded Methodist sermon by an Methodist sermon by an African-American.African-American.


Hosier became famous as a traveling Hosier became famous as a traveling evangelist up and down the Atlantic evangelist up and down the Atlantic seaboard. He was a companion on seaboard. He was a companion on evangelistic trips with Asbury, Coke, evangelistic trips with Asbury, Coke, Jesse Lee, and Freeborn Garrettson, Jesse Lee, and Freeborn Garrettson, and was heralded as one of the and was heralded as one of the greatest preachers of his time. His greatest preachers of his time. His influence was one of the most influence was one of the most important factors in the early spread of important factors in the early spread of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.America.


Mother African Zoar Church began in 1792, Mother African Zoar Church began in 1792, when a group of African Americans when a group of African Americans withdrew from Old St. George's Church to withdrew from Old St. George's Church to protest discrimination there. The dissident protest discrimination there. The dissident group, calling itself "African Zoar" (HE: group, calling itself "African Zoar" (HE: “good will”) was recognized by St. George's “good will”) was recognized by St. George's in 1794 and grew to become the mother in 1794 and grew to become the mother church of several local Methodist church of several local Methodist congregations, including Tindley Temple, congregations, including Tindley Temple, Raven Memorial, Mount Zion, and St. Raven Memorial, Mount Zion, and St. Thomas. Thomas.

Pattern of Black Denomination Pattern of Black Denomination FormationFormation

Integration with White congregationIntegration with White congregation Experience of SegregationExperience of Segregation Separate Meeting Times establishedSeparate Meeting Times established Separate Meeting Places establishedSeparate Meeting Places established Blacks found independent churchBlacks found independent church Independent churches fashion a Independent churches fashion a

denominationdenomination

Early Black MethodismEarly Black Methodism Richard Allen (1760-1831), Richard Allen (1760-1831),

the founder of the African the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Methodist Episcopal Church was born a slave in was born a slave in Philadelphia. After Philadelphia. After purchasing his own freedom purchasing his own freedom as a young man, he joined as a young man, he joined St. George's Methodist St. George's Methodist Church, from which in 1787 Church, from which in 1787 he led a dramatic withdrawal he led a dramatic withdrawal of black members. Allen of black members. Allen soon became pastor of the soon became pastor of the group and was ordained as a group and was ordained as a deacon by Bishop Asbury. deacon by Bishop Asbury. When the African Methodist When the African Methodist Episcopal Church was Episcopal Church was organized nationally in 1816, organized nationally in 1816, Allen was consecrated its Allen was consecrated its first Bishop.first Bishop.

Richard AllenRichard Allen

Licensed to preach - 1784Licensed to preach - 1784 Ordained Deacon by Asbury – 1784Ordained Deacon by Asbury – 1784 Stages “Walkout” of St. George Stages “Walkout” of St. George

Church -1787Church -1787 Organizes Free African Society – Organizes Free African Society –

17841784 Mother Bethel Church started - 1784Mother Bethel Church started - 1784

FREE AFRICAN SOCIETYFREE AFRICAN SOCIETY

Allen, along with Absalom Jones, came Allen, along with Absalom Jones, came together to form the Free African Society together to form the Free African Society (FAS) on April 12, 1787. The Society, (FAS) on April 12, 1787. The Society, though not religiously affiliated, proved though not religiously affiliated, proved much like a church in serving the black much like a church in serving the black community. NAACP founder, W.E.B. community. NAACP founder, W.E.B. DuBois, writing a century later, called the DuBois, writing a century later, called the FAS, "the first wavering step of a people FAS, "the first wavering step of a people toward organized social life." Organized as toward organized social life." Organized as an altruistic society for extending mutual an altruistic society for extending mutual aid to the widowed, sick, and jobless, it aid to the widowed, sick, and jobless, it was funded by dues-paying members. was funded by dues-paying members.

Mother Bethel ChurchMother Bethel Church Allen received Allen received

permission from St. permission from St. George Church to build George Church to build a church on the site a church on the site where he purchased the where he purchased the land for St. Thomas's land for St. Thomas's years earlier. Allen years earlier. Allen bought a blacksmith bought a blacksmith shop and had it hauled shop and had it hauled by a team of his own by a team of his own horses to 6th and horses to 6th and Lombard. Bishop Asbury Lombard. Bishop Asbury presided over the presided over the church's dedication on church's dedication on July 29, 1794. July 29, 1794.

Mother Bethel ChurchMother Bethel Church

But tensions develop over who owns the But tensions develop over who owns the deed to the church.deed to the church.

Discipline claimed the “church at large” Discipline claimed the “church at large” owned the buildingowned the building

Members of Mother Bethel wanted to own Members of Mother Bethel wanted to own the propertythe property

1796 – Articles of Association of Bethel 1796 – Articles of Association of Bethel AME Church formed.AME Church formed.

1830- Convention of Colored Men of U.S. 1830- Convention of Colored Men of U.S. held there. Bishop Allen presided. held there. Bishop Allen presided.

Mother Bethel ChurchMother Bethel Church

Mother Bethel Church was a stop on Mother Bethel Church was a stop on the Underground Railroad. the Underground Railroad.

The ground on which Mother Bethel The ground on which Mother Bethel stands is the oldest parcel of real stands is the oldest parcel of real estate continuously owned by estate continuously owned by African-Americans in the United African-Americans in the United States. States.

The first black boy scout troop was The first black boy scout troop was founded at Mother Bethel Church. founded at Mother Bethel Church.

Convention of 1816Convention of 1816

African Methodist Church formedAfrican Methodist Church formed Polity identical to Methodist Polity identical to Methodist

Episcopal Episcopal Exception: no presiding eldersException: no presiding elders Allen elected first BishopAllen elected first Bishop Slave owners could not become Slave owners could not become

membersmembers

Two Important AME AspectsTwo Important AME Aspects

Took a strong stance Took a strong stance against against discrimination and segregation; has discrimination and segregation; has always counted whites among its always counted whites among its membershipmembership

Work of Richard Allen seen as Work of Richard Allen seen as expression of expression of NationalismNationalism, the , the challenging of economic and political challenging of economic and political policies detrimental to Black policies detrimental to Black Americans.Americans.

Allen’s Nationalism MovementAllen’s Nationalism Movement

A leader of the free black community in A leader of the free black community in Philadelphia, Allen also served as one of Philadelphia, Allen also served as one of the spokesmen for the forces opposed to the spokesmen for the forces opposed to the American Colonization Society, an the American Colonization Society, an organization that proposed sending organization that proposed sending freedmen back to Africa. His campaign freedmen back to Africa. His campaign against the colonizationists resulted in the against the colonizationists resulted in the first meeting of the National Negro first meeting of the National Negro Convention Movement in 1830 -- a loosely Convention Movement in 1830 -- a loosely organized group that functioned as a organized group that functioned as a public platform for black abolitionists and public platform for black abolitionists and community leaders.community leaders.

Freedom’s JournalFreedom’s Journal

Freedom's JournalFreedom's Journal, the first African-, the first African-American owned and operated newspaper American owned and operated newspaper published in the United States, was published in the United States, was published weekly in New York City from published weekly in New York City from 1827 to 1829. John B. Russworm edited the 1827 to 1829. John B. Russworm edited the journal alone between March 16, 1827 and journal alone between March 16, 1827 and March 28, 1829. Later, Samuel Cornish March 28, 1829. Later, Samuel Cornish served as co-editor (March 16, 1827 to served as co-editor (March 16, 1827 to September 14, 1827). September 14, 1827). Richard Allen was a Richard Allen was a regular contributor (see web site)regular contributor (see web site)

African Methodist Episcopal Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion ChurchChurch

1796 1796 Peter WilliamsPeter Williams, James Varick, , James Varick, Christopher Rush and other African Christopher Rush and other African Americans of the John Street Methodist Americans of the John Street Methodist Church, a white church in New York City, Church, a white church in New York City, hold separate meetings in October.hold separate meetings in October.

1801, William and others incorporate the 1801, William and others incorporate the Zion Chapel into the Methodist Episcopal Zion Chapel into the Methodist Episcopal ChurchChurch

Schism causes division of an “Asbury” Schism causes division of an “Asbury” Congregation from the Zion congregationCongregation from the Zion congregation

Peter WilliamsPeter Williams ““Peter Williams, Sr., was for Peter Williams, Sr., was for

a number of years the a number of years the sexton of the John Street sexton of the John Street Methodist Church, in which Methodist Church, in which position he became position he became distinguished among the distinguished among the white communicants for his white communicants for his fidelity and piety. He joined fidelity and piety. He joined with other Negroes desirous with other Negroes desirous of independent church of independent church action and established the action and established the Zion Church, out of which Zion Church, out of which emerged the African emerged the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Methodist Episcopal Zion Church”Church” From From The History of the The History of the

Negro ChurchNegro Church by by Woodson, Carter Godwin, Woodson, Carter Godwin, (1875-1950), pg. 95(1875-1950), pg. 95


1820 Rev. William Stillwell leads a 1820 Rev. William Stillwell leads a congregationalist schism from New congregationalist schism from New York Methodism. Zion Chapel goes York Methodism. Zion Chapel goes with Stillwell for a while.with Stillwell for a while.

““Asbury” congregation and Zion Asbury” congregation and Zion Chapel reunite in 1821 to form the Chapel reunite in 1821 to form the African Methodist Episcopal Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in American.Church in American.

Several elders ordained following Several elders ordained following year.year.


1820 Zion and Asbury hold organizational 1820 Zion and Asbury hold organizational meeting to form own denomination, Octobermeeting to form own denomination, October

1821 Zion, Asbury and four other 1821 Zion, Asbury and four other congregations hold conference in New York congregations hold conference in New York City to establish a new organization City to establish a new organization separate from Richard Allen's Methodists, separate from Richard Allen's Methodists, June 21June 21

1822 Zion pastor, James Varick elected first 1822 Zion pastor, James Varick elected first bishop of denominationbishop of denomination

1824 New group officially breaks ties with 1824 New group officially breaks ties with the white Methodist denomination the white Methodist denomination

1828 First General Conference of the A.M.E 1828 First General Conference of the A.M.E Zion Church heldZion Church held

Peter Spencer Peter Spencer (1782-1843)(1782-1843)

Peter Spencer was Peter Spencer was born a slave in Kent born a slave in Kent County, Maryland. County, Maryland. When freed, he moved When freed, he moved to Wilmington. He was to Wilmington. He was soon an active in soon an active in community and in his community and in his church, Asbury church, Asbury Methodist Episcopal Methodist Episcopal Church. In protest Church. In protest against the church's against the church's racial discrimination racial discrimination Spencer led almost Spencer led almost forty members out of forty members out of Asbury to form Ezion Asbury to form Ezion M.E. Church. M.E. Church.

African Union ChurchAfrican Union Church

Eight years later, in 1813, still frustrated by Eight years later, in 1813, still frustrated by the Methodist Episcopal church's the Methodist Episcopal church's discrimination, the Spencer and William discrimination, the Spencer and William Anderson led another group away from the Anderson led another group away from the church. They founded an independent church. They founded an independent church, the Union Church of African church, the Union Church of African Members, the first African American Members, the first African American controlled church in America. Spencer controlled church in America. Spencer served as pastor and elder minister until his served as pastor and elder minister until his death. The Union Church spread quickly to death. The Union Church spread quickly to include congregations in Delaware, include congregations in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.

African Union ChurchAfrican Union Church

Methodist Episcopol in polity with Methodist Episcopol in polity with one exception: congregations one exception: congregations appointed own pastors.appointed own pastors.

Bishops called PresidentsBishops called Presidents Forms the African Union First Colored Forms the African Union First Colored

Methodist Protestant Church of the Methodist Protestant Church of the United States of America and United States of America and Elsewhere (1865)Elsewhere (1865)

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Black Methodism Beginnings Challenges Changes