Philadelphia, Pa - The nation’s first and only World Heritage City, Philadelphia has played a significant role in the founding and formation of the United States, and the region’s African-American stories figure prominently in the country’s history.
In 2016, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2016, and the festivities will take place April 7-10 and July 3-5 in Philadelphia, where the church was founded. Bicentennial events include a major gospel concert; a social justice forum; a tribute to Sarah Allen, the church’s founding mother; and an ecumenical worship service. This summer, congregants head to Philly for the AME general conference, July 6-13, complete with an unveiling of the Bishop Richard Allen Memorial Courtyard and a new mural dedication.