THE HISTORIC CHURCH OF MOTHER BETHEL AME WILL RECEIVE A PRESERVATION GRANT OF $90 THOUSAND.

 By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Tuesday, January 16, 2024

The doors to Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. | Mother Bethel

To help preserve the historic buildings of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we will receive a grant of $90,000.

Mother Bethel will receive funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation this year, one of 31 historical African-American churches across the country.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Monday as part of Martin Luther King, Jr., the church stated that it was "honored" to receive funding for historic preservation.

"Mother Bethel is honored to receive such a large grant to help with important preservation efforts in our 134-year-old building! Additional preservation fundraising will be made easier with a grant of $90,000.

"Special thanks to the National Historic Trust for African American Heritage Action and their Black Church Preservation grant. Thanks to the grantees."

Church leaders thanked those who made grants to the congregation, in addition to thanking the various foundations and charitable organizations that have provided funds for the grants.

And a heartfelt thank you to the group of grant writers at Mother Bethel. This would not have been possible without their hard work and dedication. The church also states, "You never know who is sitting in your pews." Glory to the Lord!

Mother Bethel AME Church dates back to the 18th century, when its founder, Richard Allen, a Methodist preacher and freed slave, launched the denomination.

Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as seen in this photo, circa 1960s. | Mother Bethel Richard Allen Museum Archives, Philadelphia

Allen had previously belonged to the predominantly white Methodist Episcopal Church, but after experiencing racism within the church, he felt the need to found his own denomination.

Since Allen founded Mother Bethel in the 1790s, the Philadelphia property has had many church buildings. The current sanctuary was built in 1890.

The NTHP African-American Cultural Heritage Action Fund gave $90,000, giving $4 million to 31 different historically black congregations.

To ensure the historic black church heritage is told and protected, we created the Preserving Black Churches program. Aacha Fund executive director Brent Leggs stated on Monday that these cultural assets can continue to enhance community resilience and drive significant change in our society.

"We are excited to honor our second round of grantees and ensure that African Americans, as well as our entire nation, can enjoy an empowered future built on the foundations of our inspiring past."

Church of St. James AME Church in New Orleans, Louisiana; City Clock Church in New Albany, Indiana; and Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta, Georgia, are some of the other historic African-American churches that received preservation funds.

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