Overview:
• Allen Temple AME Church celebrated its 200th anniversary with a Street Renaming Ceremony, Community Day, and Black Tie Gala, featuring a surprise performance by John Legend, recognizing the church's impact on the Bond Hill community and commitment to community empowerment.
By Paula Lampley
Allen Temple AME Church has an incredible history of service through ministry in Cincinnati since its founding on Feb. 4, 1824, by African Americans Rev. James King (a slave) and Rev. Phillip Brodie. In the early 19th century, some African Americans in Cincinnati worshipped at the White Methodist Episcopal churches, but were treated in a discriminatory manner. Following one camp meeting, Reverends King and Brodie decided they would no longer tolerate the prejudicial treatment they had received during their worship experiences.
In 1824, soon after hearing of the new African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, they founded Cincinnati’s A.M.E. congregation. It began as the first organized Black congregation west of the Allegheny Mountains out of a need to provide more freedom and autonomy for worship, while influencing positive change toward racial equality and community empowerment. Initially, worship services were held in various locations, including Rev. Brodie’s basement. After progressing through several downtown locations, the church sold its land to facilitate the construction of the new Procter & Gamble World headquarters, and eventually moved to Roselawn (1979).
Allen Temple has benefited from a succession of notable ministerial leaders like Pastors Charles E. Drummer, H. Mason Brown, and others, who were well suited for their tenure. In 1998, under the leadership of Reverend Donald H. Jordan Sr., Allen Temple initiated the formation of The Allen Temple Real Estate Foundation to acquire and operate the Swifton Commons Mall. The congregation relocated to a temporary worship center on its site in Bond Hill (2000) to position itself for future church growth, as well as be a primary catalyst for neighborhood and economic redevelopment for the Bond Hill and Rose Lawn communities.
In 2004, Allen Temple moved into its current, iconic place of worship at the corner of 7080 Reading Road and Seymour Avenue, and has stood as a beacon of hope and stability in the Bond Hill community, meeting the needs of people through selfless giving, leadership, and partnership. In November 2014 the church opened a new “Life Activity Center,” which was dedicated to the legacy of Rev. Jordan, to enable Allen Temple to expand and enhance the church’s ministries. In 2022, this historic congregation paid off their $2.4 million mortgage. Rev. Dr. Alphonse Allen Jr., the current and longest serving pastor of Allen Temple AME Church, and his wife and Choir Director, first lady Francietta Allen, both remark that it has been a joy and a blessing to serve at Allen Temple for 17 remarkable years.
A Celebration to Remember
Allen Temple’s 200 Year Anniversary Celebration, began with a Street Renaming Ceremony, held at the corner of Reading and Seymour Roads on April 18, as City and County Officials Mayor Aftab Pureval, Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney, Hamilton County Commission President Alicia Reece, and Bond Hill Community Council President Jacqueline Edmerson gathered for this momentous occasion. They acknowledged the extraordinary leadership of the late Donald H. Jordan and Rev. Allen, as well as the congregation’s efforts to support the surrounding area of Bond Hill with various community outreach initiatives.
On hand to witness the historic event were representatives of the African American Episcopal Third District: Presiding Elder Rev. Dr. LaCreta M. Clark (Dayton), Presiding Bishop Errenous E. McCloud (Atlanta), and Former Presiding Elder Wilton Blake II (Cincinnati). As members of the congregation and community, old and young, gathered at the corner of Seymour and Reading Roads, Rev. Allen led the honors and revealed the street name: Allen Temple AME Church Way.
The 200th Anniversary Celebration continued with a Community Day on Saturday morning, April 20. Allen Temple enjoyed providing health screenings by Walgreens’ Pharmacist and Allen Temple Member Jerome Johnson, and new Altev Community Pharmacy, a Black-owned prescription drugstore in Avondale Town Center. Friends and family had the opportunity to also learn about the Eve Center; First Ladies for Health; Hamilton County Drug Treatment & Recovery Court; Cincinnati Police Cadets.
A Legendary Night to Remember
The celebration continued with the 200th Black Tie Gala Celebration on Saturday evening at Marriott North Hotel. To the surprise of both Rev. Allen and Fran Allen, in addition to Allen Temple’s 200th anniversary, the night also included a Pastoral Celebration to recognize the incredible leadership of Rev. Allen over the last 17 years. The night began with a reception featuring a jazz quartet “Instant Mix” led by musician Rene’ Peters, who has been a member of Allen for 32 years. Following the reception, 340 guests were led into the dimly lit, beautifully decorated ballroom. Courtis Fuller served as the Master of Ceremonies and announced the grand entrance of Rev. Dr. Alphonse and Francietta Allen, and 40 members of their family, who traveled from as far away as North Carolina to attend the event. A wonderful welcome and statement of the occasion was delivered by Rev. Dr. Brandon Davis. Next, Civic Officials, Mayor Aftab Pureval, Alicia Reece, President Hamilton County Commission shared felicitations; followed by remarks by Dr. Betty Ann Whitted Holley, Presiding Elder of the Cleveland District and Rev. Donald Jones, Senior Pastor, Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, and Rev. Gerald Cooper, Esq., who blessed the food.
The guests were treated to the soulful gospel sounds of local musician Teresa Teri Anderson, President & Founder of ZBD Productions, followed by an outstanding church tribute by Donna Robinson, Steward Pro-Tem.
Next, Courtis Fuller excited the guests with a resounding introduction of the surprise artist, recipient of 12 Grammy Awards, and a Tony Award … none other than John Legend. John Legend is a close friend of Rev. Alphonse Allen and Francietta Allen, having served as their pianist/choir director at Bethel Institutional AME Church in Scranton, Penn., from 1996 to 2000, while he attended University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate student and part time for two additional years after graduating. They have maintained a close relationship and were surprised and delighted to see him performing at the celebration. John Legend played the piano as he sang three amazing gospel songs: “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “I Won’t Complain,” and “His Eye is On the Sparrow.” In his special tribute, the recording artist thanked the pastor and his wife for their kindness and generosity over the years.
John Legend praised Allen Temple for their spiritual impact in the community over the last 200 years, and the critical importance of the African American Episcopal Church. Only the Committee knew John Legend was attending the Gala. An amazing surprise for the guests, as captured photos and video recordings, until the artist embraced the Allens, and headed backstage for photographs with them and their family.
The 200th celebration was definitely one to remember — legendary in fact. To cap off the celebration, members and friends attended an Anniversary Worship Service on Sunday, featuring guest preacher Rev. Dr. David W. Green, Senior Pastor, Saint Stephens AME Church in Jacksonville, Florida He delivered a powerful sermon acknowledging the impact that Allen Temple AME Church has made over the last 200 years and reminded the congregation that, “The best is yet to come!”