African Methodist Episcopal Church

Otherwise known as ‘AME.’ This church was the first Protestant denomination to be founded by black people. The church was founded in 1816 by Rt. Rev. Richard Allen in Pennsylvania when several Methodist congregations wanted to be independent from white Methodists. Theologically, they do not differ greatly. Today, they are one of the largest Methodist denominations in the world, and have been an advocate for civil rights, religious autonomy, and political engagement.