Today's Black Love History Lesson  | Faith & Love

.

We celebrate the love of Bishop Richard Allen and Missionary Sarah Allen for being the light that shined on the countless slaves, freedmen, and immigrants helped during their lifetime.

.

Richard Allen was born into slavery on February 14, 1760. At age 17, Richard was awakened and converted to Methodism by a traveling preacher. After his slave owner converted to religion, he felt remorse and allowed Richard to buy his freedom.

.

Richard went on to spread the gospel to crowds of both white and black people. However, tensions began to grow within the Methodist Church as numbers of black attendees began to grow. Richard eventually left the Methodist Church in 1787 and formed a Free African Society. The Free African Society assisted with runaway slaves, immigrants, teaching of reading and writing, and with ongoing support for the local community.

.

They eventually amassed enough funds to buy land and build the Bethel A.M.E. Church. which is the oldest property owned by African Americans in the United States. In 1799, Richard Allen became the first African American ordained in the ministry of methodist episcopal church.

.

Sarah Bass Allen was also born into slavery. In 1800, she earned her freedom and met Richard Allen. The two were married within a year and went on to have 6 children.

.

With her husband, Sara assisted runaway slaves, hiding, feeding and clothing them in their home and in the church. She was later inspired to create the Daughters of Conference, officially designated in 1827.

.

Sarah Allen lived for 85 years, and died on July 16, 1849. The AME church's Women's Missionary Society took its founder's name, and the Sarah Allen Women's Missionary Society continues.

.

Their love saved, nurtured, and inspired countless Black Lives and they are the perfect duo to help us celebrate the history of Black Love.