Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

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The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1793 by Richard Allen, an African-American, at Sixth and Lombard Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was the first African-American church opened in the United States. It opened for public worship July 17, 1794 and was dedicated July 29, 1794, by Bishop Francis Asbury. On October 12, 1794, Reverend Robert Blackwell announced from the pulpit that the congregation was received in full fellowship in the Methodist Episcopal Church.