ABOUT US
HISTORY
The Allen Temple AME Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, is the mother church of the Third Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Founded in 1824, it is the oldest operating black church in Cincinnati and the largest church of the Third Episcopal District of the AME Church.
Allen Temple celebrated their 200th church anniversary in 2024.
Welcome to Allen Temple AME Church
Pastor Alphonse Allen, Jr. Senior Pastor
Welcome to the Allen Temple AME Church website and online ministry, we hope your experience will inspire you to come again. The Temple is a community of believers in Christ who are endeavoring to put the principles of His life-changing love into action in our modern world. Through music, teaching, praise dancing and preaching, our vibrant worship centers on biblical principles that will inspire you to connect with God in a personal way, and help you understand his purposes for your life.
We offer an exciting range of ministries and programs, and invite you to get involved and share your talents while being enlightened, inspired, and nurtured at The Temple. Whether you have been following Jesus for a long time or are experiencing his grace for the first time, you will find many opportunities to grow in your relationship with Jesus as you discover His plan for your life. For nearly two centuries, people have experienced the friendliness and encouragement Allen Temple has to offer. We invite you to encounter this heritage first-hand, and find your place in our vibrant community of faith.
History (continued)
Allen Temple AME Church has an incredible history of service through ministry in Cincinnati since its founding on February 4, 1824 by African Americans Rev. James King (a slave) and Rev. Phillip Brodie. In the early 19th century, some African Americans in Cincinnati worshiped 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 cellar. After progressing through several downtown locations, the church eventually moved to Roselawn (1979) to facilitate the construction of the new Procter & Gamble World headquarters. Allen Temple has benefitted from a succession of notable ministerial leaders (e.g. Rev.s' Charles E. Drummer, H. Mason Brown, et. al. ) 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 Swiftons Common 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 Reading Rd.(7080) and Seymour Ave., which was designed and built as a new facility. 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.
EXTERNAL
