Philadelphia Conference Lay Organization

View of Campbell A.M.E. Church in Frankford, Philadelphia, circa 1923.

Located at 1657 Kinsey Street (at Sellers Street) in Frankford., the church is generally considered to have been founded in 1807, although the burial ground may be earlier. A.M.E. is the African Methodist Episcopal Church, founded in Philadelphia by the Reverend Richard Allen, and whose history flows directly from American Methodism and as a reaction to severe restrictions by the Methodist Church on religious worship by African Americans. The Frankford church evolved very early in the history of the church, and is generally considered to be the second A.M.E. church after Mother Bethel.

"Episcopal" in the name refers to the way the church is organized (via bishops), and not specifically related to the Episcopalianism or the Protestant Episcopal (P.E.) church. As explained on the A.M.E. Church website: “The word African means that the church was organized by people of African descent and heritage. It does not mean that the church was founded in Africa, or that it was for persons of African descent only.”

Stay tuned for more details about this historic church, burial ground, and congregation, as well as the African American community in Frankford and the surrounding region.

Bill Wikoff @ The Historical Society of Frankford.

[photo credit Library Company]