Allen Temple AME Church (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Encyclopedia
The Allen Temple AME Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, is the mother church of the Third Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
. Founded in 1824, it is the oldest AME church in Ohio,the oldest operating black church in Cincinnati and the largest church of the Third Episcopal District of the AME Church.
because of the prejudicial treatment blacks received in the predominantly white churches.
The first pastor chosen by the black congregation was Rev. James King, at the time a slave living in Lexington, Kentucky
whose owner allowed him to hire his time. In 1824, following the founding of the AME denomination, Rev. King and Rev. Philip Brodie led the congregation to join with the AME. The congregation occupied at least four structures, each known by its own name, prior to 1870, the last of which was known as "Allen Chapel" and constructed around 1850. During this period the church was a waystation on the Underground Railroad
. In 1862, the church helped launch the second AME church in Cincinnati, the Brown Chapel AME Church.
Because of growth and vandalism, in 1870 the congregation purchased the structure previously housing the Rockdale Temple
synagogue for $40,000, reflecting its position as one of the early black churches with a predominantly middle class congregation. At this time the church took the name "Allen Temple". Fiscal pressures from the mortgage and 1974 fire damage led to the formation of charity groups. After paying off the debts of the congregation, these groups turned to social and welfare work.
Isaac Nelson Ross, later the 41st bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal, served as pastor of Allen Temple for 5 years between 1900 and 1907.
In 1975, the Broadway church building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
, qualifying as significant statewide because of its well-preserved historic architecture and because of its place in Ohio's history
. Since that time, the building has been destroyed, and it was removed from the Register in 1999.
, but he felt that his work was not yet done and he was appointed to Allen Temple, assuming that it would be what he called "lesser work".
At the time of Jordan's appointment, Allen Temple was located on 7181 Reading Road (where they had been since 1977). Under his leadership, the church acquired hundreds of new members and bought the Swifton Commons Shopping Mall which in 2003 was named Jordan Crossing Mall
. Allen Temple began having their services in the Worship Center located in the front of the mall in 1999 where they acquired even more new members and began construction on a brand new sanctuary that would seat more than 1,000 people.
The new church was completed in May 2004 and on May 16 and 23, 2004, it was dedicated by Bishop Paul A. Bowers of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
and Bishop Robert V. Webster of the AME Church, respectively.
It was in August 2004 that Reverend Jordan decided once again to retire. Prior to this time, in May 2004, he became a candidate for bishop in the AME Church. However, due to his age (72 years old at the time), he decided to withdraw his candidacy. At the South Ohio Annual Conference in 2004, the Jurisdictional bishop met with Jordan and asked him to stay at Allen one more year, which he did, and on June 30, 2005 Jordan formally retired after 28 years in ministry and almost ten years at Allen Temple.
Jurisdictional Bishop Robert V. Webster served as Allen's interim pastor for four months (July to November 2005). In November, a permanent pastor was appointed. He was Atlanta, Georgia pastor Reverend Dr. Mark Wendell Thompson and his wife, Evangelist
Stephanie D. Thompson, who of course was First Lady and Associate Minister. He was appointed on November 13, 2005, and preached his first sermon at Allen Temple on November 20, 2005. Soon, he adopted the theme "Becoming Whole Through Christian Living" and the church once again experienced tremendous growth in a relatively short time.
In November 2007, Thompson returned to Atlanta to become the founding pastor of Redemptive Life Christian Fellowship Church.
On November 4, 2007, then 44 year old Rev. Dr. Alphonse Allen, Jr. preached his first sermon as the newly appointed pastor of Allen Temple. He previously pastored United A.M.E. Church in Xenia, Ohio
.
native Cory W. Ferguson returned to Allen Temple after having been gone for a year after leading the church's youth choir
. Upon his return, Reverend Donald Jordan appointed him youth minister and in October 2004, Upward Bound Youth Ministries was founded. At its peak, the ministry had over 110 children and youth, not even including their parents and other helpers and supporters within the church.
Upward Bound Youth Ministries (commonly called UBYM) housed 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 and a newly formed children's praise dance ministry
. These various choirs and praise dance teams ministered every second, fourth and fifth Sundays and most members of Allen Temple, young and old alike, see them as a blessing to the church. UBYM was becoming very active in the community, singing and dancing at various churches and many gospel concerts.
In September 2009, Ferguson left Allen Temple.
Now, Fran Allen (Pastor Allen's wife) is the leader of the children's chior and First Fruits, a new choir in the church.
African Methodist Episcopal Church
The African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually called the A.M.E. Church, is a predominantly African American Methodist denomination based in the United States. It was founded by the Rev. Richard Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1816 from several black Methodist congregations in the...
. Founded in 1824, it is the oldest AME church in Ohio,the oldest operating black church in Cincinnati and the largest church of the Third Episcopal District of the AME Church.
History
Named after Richard Allen, founder of the AME Church,, the church was founded in 1823 as a congregation of the Methodist Episcopal ChurchMethodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Episcopal Church, sometimes referred to as the M.E. Church, was a development of the first expression of Methodism in the United States. It officially began at the Baltimore Christmas Conference in 1784, with Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke as the first bishops. Through a series of...
because of the prejudicial treatment blacks received in the predominantly white churches.
The first pastor chosen by the black congregation was Rev. James King, at the time a slave living in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
whose owner allowed him to hire his time. In 1824, following the founding of the AME denomination, Rev. King and Rev. Philip Brodie led the congregation to join with the AME. The congregation occupied at least four structures, each known by its own name, prior to 1870, the last of which was known as "Allen Chapel" and constructed around 1850. During this period the church was a waystation on the Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
. In 1862, the church helped launch the second AME church in Cincinnati, the Brown Chapel AME Church.
Because of growth and vandalism, in 1870 the congregation purchased the structure previously housing the Rockdale Temple
Rockdale Temple
The Rockdale Temple, K.K. Bene Israel, is the oldest Jewish congregation west of the Allegheny Mountains, the oldest congregation in Ohio, the second oldest Ashkenazi congregation in the United States and one of the oldest synagogues in the United States...
synagogue for $40,000, reflecting its position as one of the early black churches with a predominantly middle class congregation. At this time the church took the name "Allen Temple". Fiscal pressures from the mortgage and 1974 fire damage led to the formation of charity groups. After paying off the debts of the congregation, these groups turned to social and welfare work.
Isaac Nelson Ross, later the 41st bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal, served as pastor of Allen Temple for 5 years between 1900 and 1907.
In 1975, the Broadway church building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, qualifying as significant statewide because of its well-preserved historic architecture and because of its place in Ohio's history
History of Ohio
The history of Ohio includes many thousands of years of human activity. What is now Ohio was probably first settled by Paleo-Indian peoples, who lived in the area as early as 13,000 BCE. Later ancestors of Native Americans were known as the Archaic peoples...
. Since that time, the building has been destroyed, and it was removed from the Register in 1999.
Modern Times
On May 13, 1996, accomplished founder and CEO of Thompson, Hall and Jordan Funeral homes, Rev. Donald Harold Jordan, Sr., was appointed pastor of Allen Temple by Bishop Henry A. Belin after 17 years at Quinn Chapel AME Church also in Cincinnati. Jordan came after the Rev. Taylor Thompson had pastored Allen Temple, who, coincidentally, was sent to Quinn Chapel. Jordan originally retired from ministry in 1996 after it was revealed that he had prostate cancerProstate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
, but he felt that his work was not yet done and he was appointed to Allen Temple, assuming that it would be what he called "lesser work".
At the time of Jordan's appointment, Allen Temple was located on 7181 Reading Road (where they had been since 1977). Under his leadership, the church acquired hundreds of new members and bought the Swifton Commons Shopping Mall which in 2003 was named Jordan Crossing Mall
Jordan Crossing Mall
Jordan Crossing Center opened in October 1956 as the Swifton Shopping Center. It was the first shopping mall in the Cincinnati area. It was commonly referred to as Swifton Center by area residents. The complex is currently owned by Allen Temple AME Church...
. Allen Temple began having their services in the Worship Center located in the front of the mall in 1999 where they acquired even more new members and began construction on a brand new sanctuary that would seat more than 1,000 people.
The new church was completed in May 2004 and on May 16 and 23, 2004, it was dedicated by Bishop Paul A. Bowers of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World is a Pentecostal Christian denomination. Founded in 1914, it is one of the oldest Oneness Pentecostal organizations in existence. Headquarters are in Indianapolis, Indiana, and The Christian Outlook is the church's official publication...
and Bishop Robert V. Webster of the AME Church, respectively.
It was in August 2004 that Reverend Jordan decided once again to retire. Prior to this time, in May 2004, he became a candidate for bishop in the AME Church. However, due to his age (72 years old at the time), he decided to withdraw his candidacy. At the South Ohio Annual Conference in 2004, the Jurisdictional bishop met with Jordan and asked him to stay at Allen one more year, which he did, and on June 30, 2005 Jordan formally retired after 28 years in ministry and almost ten years at Allen Temple.
Jurisdictional Bishop Robert V. Webster served as Allen's interim pastor for four months (July to November 2005). In November, a permanent pastor was appointed. He was Atlanta, Georgia pastor Reverend Dr. Mark Wendell Thompson and his wife, Evangelist
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
Stephanie D. Thompson, who of course was First Lady and Associate Minister. He was appointed on November 13, 2005, and preached his first sermon at Allen Temple on November 20, 2005. Soon, he adopted the theme "Becoming Whole Through Christian Living" and the church once again experienced tremendous growth in a relatively short time.
In November 2007, Thompson returned to Atlanta to become the founding pastor of Redemptive Life Christian Fellowship Church.
On November 4, 2007, then 44 year old Rev. Dr. Alphonse Allen, Jr. preached his first sermon as the newly appointed pastor of Allen Temple. He previously pastored United A.M.E. Church in Xenia, Ohio
Xenia, Ohio
Xenia is a city in and the county seat of Greene County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio 21 miles from Dayton and is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Upward Bound Youth Ministries
In December 2003, Dayton, OhioDayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
native Cory W. Ferguson returned to Allen Temple after having been gone for a year after leading the church's youth choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
. Upon his return, Reverend Donald Jordan appointed him youth minister and in October 2004, Upward Bound Youth Ministries was founded. At its peak, the ministry had over 110 children and youth, not even including their parents and other helpers and supporters within the church.
Upward Bound Youth Ministries (commonly called UBYM) housed 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 and a newly formed children's praise dance ministry
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
. These various choirs and praise dance teams ministered every second, fourth and fifth Sundays and most members of Allen Temple, young and old alike, see them as a blessing to the church. UBYM was becoming very active in the community, singing and dancing at various churches and many gospel concerts.
In September 2009, Ferguson left Allen Temple.
Now, Fran Allen (Pastor Allen's wife) is the leader of the children's chior and First Fruits, a new choir in the church.
See also
- History of Cincinnati, OhioHistory of Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati was founded in 1788 by John Cleves Symmes and Colonel Robert Patterson. Surveyor John Filson named it "Losantiville" from four terms, each of different language; meaning "The city opposite the mouth of the River," "ville" is French for "city," "anti" is Greek for "opposite," "os" is...
- Race relations of Cincinnati, OhioRace relations of Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio was a border town between slave states and free states in the Union during the Civil War. There have been many incidents of race-based violence before and after the Civil War with the most notable and most recent one being the 2001 Cincinnati Riots. The neighborhoods in Cincinnati...
- Black church