On September 3, 1783, Richard Allen, who would later become the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, purchased his freedom. Born into slavery in 1760 in Philadelphia, Allen was able to buy his freedom from his master, and he went on to play a significant role in the religious and social life of African Americans in the early United States.
His purchase of freedom was a pivotal moment in his life, as it allowed him to pursue a calling in ministry. Allen eventually founded the AME Church in 1816, which became the first independent Protestant denomination established by African Americans. His work as a preacher and leader was central to the growth of African American religious communities and civil rights activism.
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