MOTHER BETHEL CHURCH

Richard Allen, a former slave who paid for his freedom, bought the place in 1791. He founded his own Methodist church (current of Protestantism) in response to segregation in mixed churches. Mother Bethel, the first church led by blacks (before many others), becomes the centre of the Afro-American community: they learned to read, discussed local issues. The church has very beautiful stained glass windows. Richard Allen and his wife are buried in the basement, where a small museum recounts the history of the place and the legacy of Allen in the fight for freedom and slavery. The guided tour of minutes is very instructive.