Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) was, of course, one of the main leaders of the American Civil Rights movement. What is lesser known today is King’s training and ministry as a Baptist pastor. Even fewer people know the long history of African American ministers promoting civil rights.
That history begins with the Reverends Richard Allen (1760-1831) and Absalom Jones (1746-1818). Allen and Jones were foremost founding fathers of the African American independent churches and of the American Civil Rights movement.
The Rev. Richard Allen’s Ministry
Allen traveled extensively, preaching in Delaware and Pennsylvania. In February, 1786, he preached at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. Thinking that he would be there one or two weeks, ministry needs led Allen to a settled place of service in Philadelphia.
Concerned for the wellbeing of African Americans in this parish, he established prayer meetings.
“I raised a society in 1786 of forty-two members. I saw the necessity of erecting a place of worship for the coloured people.”
It was at this time that the Rev. Jones united with Rev. Allen. Their little band met great opposition, including:
“Very degrading and insulting language to us, to try and
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