Born a slave, Richard Allen purchased his freedom after both he and his master converted to Christianity. Allen settled in Philadelphia, earning money as a preacher and wagon driver. He was devoted to the cause of black freedom, and did much in the way of education and religion for black children.

Having joined the Methodist church, Allen preached on Sunday at 5am, so as not to interfere with services for white members. Despite continual discrimination, Allen was ordained in 1799 as the first black deacon of the Methodist church. However, Methodist views on racism caused Allen to leave and form the Free African Society. He purchased land on which to build a church for the Society in 1789, and stayed there until disagreements arose concerning Society regulations. He then formed the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first independent black denomination in America, in 1816.

“We wish you to consider, that God himself was the first pleader of the cause of slaves…I trust they are in the kingdom both white and colored.”