As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor the profound contributions of African-Americans within the United Methodist Church, from pioneering leaders like Richard Allen to today’s advocates for racial justice. These individuals have not only shaped the church’s history but continue to inspire its ongoing commitment to social justice, equality, and inclusivity. Their legacy calls us to reflect on our shared responsibility to work for a world where all are treated with dignity and respect.
1783 – Jarena Lee: In 1783, Jarena Lee became the first African-American woman authorized to preach in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, paving the way for women in ministry.
- 1794 – Richard Allen: Richard Allen, a former slave, founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) in 1794 in Philadelphia, making it the first independent black denomination in the United States.
- 1816 – African Methodist Episcopal Church: In 1816, the AME Church was officially founded by Richard Allen and other African-American Methodists seeking freedom from racial discrimination within the Methodist Episcopal Church.
- 1821 – James Varick: James Varick was ordained the first bishop of the AME Zion Church in 1821, which became an important denomination for African-American Methodists.
- 1830s – Rev. Peter O. Lawton: A key figure in the early 19th century, Rev. Peter O. Lawton became one of the first African-American Methodist preachers to serve in the northeastern U.S., helping spread the gospel in African-American communities.
- 1845 – Sojourner Truth: In 1845, Sojourner Truth, an abolitionist and women’s rights activist, became an influential Methodist preacher and public speaker, calling for both racial and gender equality.
- 1860s – Rev. James W. C. Pennington: In the 1860s, Pennington became one of the first African-American ministers ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church after the Civil War, promoting racial equality and integration.
- 1866 – Charles Price Jones: In 1866, Charles Price Jones founded the Church of Christ (Holiness) in America, an influential Pentecostal movement with deep roots in African-American Methodism.
- 1869 – First African-American Women’s Missionary Society Conference: In 1869, the African Methodist Episcopal Church held its first Women’s Missionary Society Conference, which played a significant role in organizing African-American women for church leadership and missionary work.
- 1870 – Rev. William H. Miles: Rev. Miles was a prominent African-American Methodist minister who helped form the Colored Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church in 1870, which was later absorbed into the United Methodist Church (UMC).
- 1890 – Bishop Henry M. Turner: Bishop Turner, an important figure in the AME Church, began advocating for the “back-to-Africa” movement in the late 19th century, promoting African-American empowerment.
- 1900 – AME Church’s Role in Education: In the early 20th century, the AME Church began focusing heavily on education, founding several historically black colleges, including Wilberforce University (Ohio), the first African-American-owned university.
- 1921 – Bishop Levi J. Coppin: Bishop Levi J. Coppin became a key figure in the development of African-American higher education, founding Coppin State College in Maryland in 1921.
- 1946 – Rev. Martin Luther King Sr.: Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., an influential African-American Methodist pastor, led Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta and was instrumental in shaping the civil rights movement through the church.
- 1948 – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming an influential African-American preacher. King’s father was a member of the United Methodist Church, and King Jr. was raised in the tradition of social justice and nonviolence.
- 1950s – The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC): African-American Methodist leaders like Hosea Williams and others were pivotal in founding the SCLC in the 1950s to coordinate civil rights efforts, with a heavy emphasis on religious leadership.
- 1963 – Birmingham Church Bombing: In 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, tragically killed four African-American girls and galvanized the African-American church’s role in the Civil Rights Movement, particularly within the Methodist Church.
- 1965 – Selma to Montgomery March: In 1965, African-American Methodist leaders like Hosea Williams and John Lewis participated in the Selma to Montgomery March, a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, which was supported by the United Methodist Church.
- 1968 – United Methodist Church Formation: In 1968, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged to form the United Methodist Church, leading to increased African-American participation and leadership within the denomination.
- 1972 – Rev. Joseph N. McKinney: In 1972, Rev. McKinney became one of the first African-American clergy members in the United Methodist Church’s General Conference, pushing for more racial inclusivity.
- 1980 – Rev. Fred B. Johnson: Rev. Johnson was an influential African-American Methodist leader who helped increase African-American involvement in the United Methodist Church through his outreach and leadership programs.
- 1984 – Bishop Melvin Talbert: In 1984, Melvin Talbert became the first African-American bishop of the United Methodist Church in the South, breaking significant racial barriers within the denomination.
- 1990s – Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes Jr.: Rev. Forbes, a prominent African-American Methodist minister, became known for his social activism and his leadership at Riverside Church in New York City, advocating for racial justice.
- 2000 – Bishop Frank M. Reid III: In 2000, Frank M. Reid III became the first African-American bishop in the United Methodist Church’s Northeast Jurisdiction, marking a significant milestone for African-American leadership.
- 2004 – Rev. Dr. Sherryl R. Johnson: Rev. Johnson became the first African-American woman to be elected as a District Superintendent in the United Methodist Church, symbolizing the ongoing progress for women and African-Americans in church leadership.
- 2012 – Rev. William H. Watley: In 2012, Rev. Watley became the first African-American clergy member in the United Methodist Church to establish a megachurch in Atlanta, helping the church reach a diverse congregation.
- 2016 – The African-American Methodist Federation for Social Action (AFSA): Founded in 2016, the AFSA focused on racial justice, social equity, and community outreach, continuing the legacy of African-American Methodist activism.
- 2020 – United Methodist Church and Racial Justice Statements: In 2020, the United Methodist Church issued statements calling for greater action against racism and addressing racial injustice, reflecting the influence of African-American leaders in the denomination.
