Inquiring minds would like to know. On this day, February 14, 1760, Richard Allen was born. The lives of black folks in America have been immeasurably improved by this unassuming clergyman. QED

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

Answers

Mother Bethel of Philadelphia

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

I have no knowledge of any churches that celebrate his actual birthday but all AME churches celebrate his greatest accolade. The history books will remember him as the founder of the first organized black church.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

First of all he encouraged blacks in America to stand up for our right to worship God in a first class manner. He also encouraged blacks to support each other. That is he encouraged us to build each other up as recommended in the scriptures. He also let us know that regardless of the challenging circumstances that with God All things are possible. He also provided a good model of loving others even those who have been our enemies as demonstrated by his helping the citizens of his town who were sick due to an epidemic.Richard Allen really set a good example for us to follow.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

Bill,

I believe that Allen's Birthday is celebrated annually in most of our churches. It is not perhaps celebrated on February 14 but rather on the Second Sunday in February. This is designated Connectionally as Founder's Day (Once known as Allen's Day) and was chosen because it is the Sunday which most nearly coincides with the birthdays of Richard Allen, Frederick Douglass and Absolam Jones--each of whom had a significant A.M.E. Cnnection.

Founder's Day is also observed in many--if not all--of our Episcopal Districts during the entire month of February. In the Sixth Episcopal District this year's celebration will be culminated with an an Annual District-wide Convocation at Bethel AMEC in Augusta, GA on February 21-23. The Celebration will also include a very impressive annual parade and YPD Celebration in Augusta on February 23.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

Our church did not celebrate the birthday, per se, but we did have a special founder's day service, surrounding the theme 'family,friends and unity'. Our pastor's subject was, "You Can Make A Difference."

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2002

I recently attended the Founders Day Celebration of the First Episcopal District at our headquarters in Philadelphia, Pa. last weekend. It was a marvelous 2 dyas of spitit filled worship and fellowship. This year at Greater Bethel in Harlem where I am privilged to pastor we decided to do something different and have a month long celebration of Founders Day in connection to Black History month. The whole month was geared toward remembering our history as a church and as a people, and to look where we need to be in the 21st century. A line up of some of the greatest preachers in African Methodism and other vineyards are scheduled to be a part of this month long celebration including the Rev. Dr. Anthony Campbell, Professor of Homeletics at the Boston School of Religion in Boston, Mass. The Rev. Leroy Ladsden, Pastor of St. Stephens AME Church, here in Harlem, Rev. Gregory Leonard, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Setaucket, NY, just to name a few. February has always been an exciting month for me in ministry because it gives me the opportunity to be creative in connecting Black History Month and Founders Day Celebration under one hat, because thats where they belong, together because the 2 events compliment and lift each other. I encourage my colleagues to use the entire month of February as an opportunity to celebrate Founders Day. Why not? Who said we couldn't?.

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2002

The 4th Episcopal District celebrated Founder's Day with a worship service at Grant AME Church in Chicago. The Chicago Conference provided the worship in music and the Rt.Rev. Vernon Byrd delivered the message.

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2002

Greetings in the name of the Lord! Last week, I was blessed to attend the Founder's Day Celebration for the Thirteenth Episcopal District, under the leadership of The Right Reverend Frederick Talbot and Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot. It was a great spiritual experience!

Uniquely, the entire service was presented in song. From the call to worship to the prayer and even the offering prayer was all done by song. It was simply beautiful! The benediction was a song also. There was not much time for talking, we "entered into his presence with singing"!

In the midst of the service, there were solos, duets, choral selections, instrumentals and congregational hymns. One highlight was the song written by Bishop Richard Allen, which was new to most in attendance.

It was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance, and the fire of the spirit was truly evident!

On the local level, the Burks Chapel A.M.E. Church family celebrated Founder's Day on the second Sunday. We had a special service with a Litany and Prayer, followed by a dinner where history was imparted on our founders. The congregation all dressed in clothes that would remind you of the "old days", when the church was first established. Both of these celebrations paid homage to our leaders and showed a true ove for our Founders.

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2002

Please update this information for the 2003 year. Eighth Episcopal District member. I find reading about our current deeds motivating.

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2003

This is a day that we all in the A.M.E. Church are so thankful of,in a most gratious way. It is celebrated in the same month of black history. The church must go on and our rememberances of our forfarthers should never be forgotten.During that time they payed a price for the freedoms we enjoy today. Let us continue to ring out the names of those that came before us and yes, make some noise ourselves. In a effort to do that is good, and makes life better in Gods name, and in the name of Richard Allen This year 2004

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2004

We praise God for our illustrious founder Richard Allen. In Bermuda we celebrate Founders Day on the last Sunday in January. In February several of the clergy and laity usually attend the Founder's Day Celebrations at the 1st District Headquarters in Philadelphia. Also in February Black History month is observed and Richard Allen and other historians (locally and internationally)are celebrated

This year in Bermuda we had Pastors give a 3-5 minute presentations on our District Theme - "Saving, Sacrificing & Serving for Christ" - 2Corinthians 8:5. It was a tremendous experience of musical, prose, drama and humour. The attendance was GREAT!! God was indeed please with the efforts of that day. His name be praised!

We would encourage each church in our connection to observe and celebrate the founding forefathers of our Zion. Teach our children of their history whilst they are young and they will have a greater appreciation of our church and who they are as a people.

Be blessed!!

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2004

The Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Historical Society presents "Reflecting On Our Past....Richard Allen's and Absalom Jones' Involvement: The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793." The play will be presented by the Cheyney Players (Alphia Psi Omega National Dramatic Honor Society) directed by Jann Ellis-Scruggs, Faculty Advisor. The play will be Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 2:00PM in Mother Bethel's AME Fellowship Hall. We look forward to seeing you. There is no charge for the play.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2004