9 April 1816 A.D. (Bp.) Richard Allen Organizes African Methodist Episcopal Church
9 April 1816 A.D. (Bp.) Richard Allen Organizes African Methodist Episcopal Church Graves, Dan. “Separate but Equal for Richard Allen.” Christianity.com. Apr 2007. http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/separate-but-equal-for-richard-allen-11630375.html . Accessed 8 Apr 2015. To one accomplishes anything worthwhile without overcoming difficulties. In becoming America's first black bishop, Richard Allen faced formidable obstacles. He was born a slave. This meant he had to fight racism and inequity every step of his way. He did not automatically receive an education. Whatever he undertook required his master's permission. Slavery's cruelties touched his life. To pay debts, Richard's master sold off Richard's mother and three of her children. Richard never heard from them again. At age seventeen, Allen met Christ. "I was awakened and brought to see myself, poor, wretched and undone, and without the mercy of God must be lost...