St. Matthew A.M.E. Church Detroit, MI

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
In 1787, Rev. Richard Allen and Rev. Absalom Jones withdrew from St. George Methodist Church because of "unkind treatment" and restrictions placed on worshipers of African descent. They founded The Free Methodist Society, which was the beginning of the African Methodist Church.

In 1816, Richard Allen called together sixteen representatives from Bethel African Church in Philadelphia, PA. A chrch organization or "connection" was organized as the Africian Methodist Episcopal Church. Richard Allen was the founder and first Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

OUR NAME

African: The term "African" refers to people of African Descent. Richard Allen also used the term "people of color." He advocated human dignity and relgious liberty for people of Afrian descent in America.

Methodist: Richard Allen accepted the doctrines and polity of the Methodist Church as appropriate for his people. The term "Methodist" was used as a word of derision and scorn for John Wesley and his followers, because of their systematic method of habits of religious duty.

Episcopal: The highest office in the AME Church is Bishop. The term "Bishop" means "overseer." The Bishop is the one who "oversees" or "overlooks" the work of the church.

OUR BELIEF

The standard of faith for the AME Church is the 25 Articles of Religion. John Wesley extracted the 25 Articles of Religion from the 39 Articles of the Church of England. Richard Allen adopted the 25 Articles of Religion as sufficient for the Africian Methodist Episcopal Church.

OUR MOTTO

God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, the Holy Sprit of Comforter, Humankind Our Famly.