This Week in Christian History: Billy Graham's First Sermon, Saddleback Church Founding, Black Church Leader Dies

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, March 25, 2018

Founder of African Methodist Episcopal Church dies — March 26, 1831

This week marks the anniversary of the death of Richard Allen, a prominent African-American clergyman who founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Allen became a Methodist at age 17, drawn in part by the religious sect's longstanding official opposition to legalized slavery.

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However, racial discrimination from the white leadership of the Church led Allen to found what is considered the first African-American national church in 1816.

In 2016, the United States Postal Service released a stamp commemorating Allen, coinciding with the 200^{th anniversary of the founding of the AME Church.}