Mailing Address: AAMHC, Inc. P. O. Box 6790, Largo, MD 20792-6790 301.362.2272
Home | About Us | Artifacts and Items Wanted for the Collection | Board of Trustees | Brochure | Funding | Resources | Contact Us
Resources

Work on African-American heritage center moves forward
UMNS Feature By Linda Green*

Many people are unaware that African Americans’ involvement in Methodism dates back to the beginnings of the church in America, a United Methodist bishop says.

A lot of whites don’t know that African Americans were a crucial part of Methodism before the racially segregated Central Jurisdiction was created in 1939, says Bishop Forrest Stith.

And some African Americans have been so "obsessed with the injustices of the Central Jurisdiction," he said, that they seldom share or remember the stories of black involvement in the church as far back as the Christmas Conference of 1784, when the church in America was organized, and of African Americans’ presence at such historical sites as Epworth Chapel and Strawbridge Meeting House...more>>>

Walk on hallowed ground when you visit Mother Bethel AME Church, the mother church of the nation's first black denomination. Founded in 1797, the church rests upon the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by African-Americans.

The church memorializes Rev. Richard Allen, its founding pastor and first bishop. A basement crypt serves as as museum, housing Allen's tomb and other intriguing artifacts including original pews and the original pulpit constructed and used by Rev. Allen. Recently installed exhibits depict the church's role as an underground Railroad station...more>>
Copyright 2005© African American Methodist Heritage Center, Inc., is an initiative of the of Black Methodist for Church Renewal
and The United Methodist Church™