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

By Michael Gryboski, 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.

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.}