Allen Temple AME Church (Cincinnati, Ohio) facts for kids

The Allen Temple AME Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a very important church. It's known as the "mother church" for its region in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Started in 1824, it's the oldest church for Black people in Cincinnati. It's also the biggest AME church in its area.

The Church's Early Days

1874 engraving of Allen Temple AME Church

The church is named after Richard Allen, who started the AME Church. It began in 1823 as a group of people who wanted to worship together. They joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. This was because Black people were not treated fairly in many churches at that time.

The first leader chosen by the Black church members was Rev. James King. He was a slave in Lexington, Kentucky, but his owner allowed him to work for himself. In 1824, Rev. King and Rev. Philip Brodie led the group to join the new AME denomination.

A Safe Place on the Underground Railroad

Before 1870, the church met in at least four different buildings. One of these was called "Allen Chapel" and was built around 1850. During this time, the church was a waystation on the Underground Railroad. This meant it was a secret safe place for enslaved people escaping to freedom. In 1862, Allen Temple also helped start another AME church in Cincinnati, called Brown Chapel AME Church.

Growing and Moving Forward

By 1870, the church had grown a lot. They also faced problems with vandalism. So, the church bought a new building for $40,000. This building used to be a synagogue called Rockdale Temple. This purchase showed that Allen Temple was becoming a strong church with many middle-class members. At this time, the church officially took the name "Allen Temple."

Later, the church faced money problems and damage from a fire in 1974. To help, groups were formed to raise money. After paying off the church's debts, these groups started doing social and welfare work in the community. Isaac Nelson Ross, who later became a bishop, was a pastor at Allen Temple for five years, from 1900 to 1907.

In 1975, the old church building on Broadway was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This meant it was important for its history and architecture in Ohio. However, that building was later destroyed and removed from the Register in 1999.

Allen Temple in Recent Times

In May 1996, Rev. Donald Harold Jordan, Sr., became the new pastor of Allen Temple. He had been a pastor at another Cincinnati church for 17 years. Rev. Jordan had planned to retire because of his health. But he felt his work wasn't finished and took on the role at Allen Temple.

A New Home and Growth

When Rev. Jordan arrived, Allen Temple was located on Reading Road. Under his leadership, the church gained hundreds of new members. They also bought the Swifton Commons Shopping Mall. In 2003, this mall was renamed Jordan Crossing Mall. The church began holding services in a Worship Center at the front of the mall in 1999. They continued to grow and started building a brand new church that could seat over 1,000 people.

The new church building was finished in May 2004. It was officially dedicated on May 16 and May 23, 2004, by different bishops.

New Leaders and Continued Success

In August 2004, Reverend Jordan decided to retire again. He had considered becoming a bishop but decided not to because of his age. He stayed for one more year and officially retired in June 2005.

After Rev. Jordan, Bishop Robert V. Webster served as an interim pastor for four months. In November 2005, a new permanent pastor was appointed: Reverend Dr. Mark Wendell Thompson from Atlanta, Georgia. His wife, Evangelist Stephanie D. Thompson, also became an Associate Minister.

Pastor Thompson's first sermon at Allen Temple was on November 20, 2005. He chose the theme "Becoming Whole Through Christian Living." The church grew a lot during his time, especially the youth ministry. In November 2007, Pastor Thompson returned to Atlanta to start a new church there.

On November 4, 2007, Rev. Dr. Alphonse Allen, Jr., became the new pastor of Allen Temple. He had previously been a pastor at a church in Xenia, Ohio. He is the current pastor of Allen Temple AME Church.

Upward Bound Youth Ministries

In December 2003, Cory W. Ferguson returned to Allen Temple. He had previously led the church's youth choir. Upon his return, Reverend Jordan appointed him youth minister. In October 2004, the Upward Bound Youth Ministries (UBYM) was started. At its busiest, this ministry had over 110 children, teens, and young adults involved. This number doesn't even include their parents and other helpers!

Activities and Community Impact

Upward Bound Youth Ministries included several groups:

• The Training Choir (ages 3–5)
• The Children's Choir (ages 6–12)
• The Worship Chorale (ages 13 and up)
• The Empty Vessels Praise Dance Ministry
• A new children's praise dance ministry

These choirs and dance teams performed on the second, fourth, and fifth Sundays of each month. Many church members saw them as a great addition to the church. UBYM also became very active in the community. They sang and danced at other churches, gospel concerts, and other Christian events.

In September 2009, Cory Ferguson left Allen Temple. He moved back to Dayton, Ohio. Today, Fran Allen (Pastor Allen's wife) leads the children's choir and a new choir called First Fruits. She is also part of the Worship Chorale. Minister Courtney Jackson now leads the Worship Chorale, which is currently known as "Anointed."

See also

• History of Cincinnati, Ohio
• Race relations of Cincinnati, Ohio