Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church Celebrates 140th Anniversary!

Representatives of Councilmember Trachtenberg, on behalf of the Montgomery County Council, proudly presented the following Proclamation to the Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, on the occasion of its 140th Anniversary.

WHEREAS, the Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church was founded in 1870 by Henry Walker, Jerry Gaither, and George Gaither, with its first formal gathering place established during 1873, in an area originally known as Providence in Wheaton, Montgomery County, Maryland; and

WHEREAS, the original members worked nights by lantern light until the original structure, a single story frame building, was finished; and they named the church the Allen Chapel, in honor of Richard Allen, the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.); and

WHEREAS, since its establishment, the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church congregation has continuously assembled and served others under the banner and living mission of the A.M.E. Church, "God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, and Man Our Brother;" and

WHEREAS, the founding members were not only concerned with worshipping and ministering to their community, but as they were also ardent about educating children, they organized and dedicated the first school for Black children within the Wheaton area in 1880, on the existing church property; and

WHEREAS, the Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church will be celebrating 150 years of extraordinary service to Montgomery County residents and congregants in September 2010; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the County Council of Montgomery County, Maryland, hereby proclaims September 26, 2010 as

ALLEN CHAPEL A.M.E. CHURCH DAY IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Montgomery County Council takes this opportunity to recognize the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church for its history as a trail blazer, and for its many years of service to the residents of the County.

Presented on this 26th day of September in the year 2010.

Nancy Floreen
Council President