Free African Society
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Established in 1787 under the leadership of Richard Allen and Absolom Jones, this organization fostered identity, leadership, and unity among Blacks and became the forerunner of the first African-American churches in this city.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Founded in 1787 under the leadership of Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, the Free African Society was one of the earliest mutual-aid organizations created by and for Black Americans. It offered support, structure, and a sense of shared identity to Philadelphia's free Black community in the fragile early years of the new republic. Out of its fellowship grew the first independent African-American churches in the city.
Why it matters
The Society marked the birth of independent Black institutional life in America, seeding churches and self-help traditions that would anchor African-American communities for generations.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Hill-Physick House0.2 mi away · 321 South 4th Street
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial0.3 mi away
- Powel House0.3 mi away · 244 South 3rd Street
- Bridgette Mayer0.3 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philosophical Hall0.4 mi away · PA
- Congress Hall0.4 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Second Bank of the United States0.4 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Italian market0.4 mi away · Christian Street
- Carpenters' Hall0.4 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell0.4 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- First Bank of the United States0.5 mi away · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- City Tavern0.5 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
Food & drink
- Talula's Garden0.3 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.3 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.3 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fat Salmon0.3 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thank You Thank You Coffee Roasters0.4 mi away · 700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Maya's Pizza & Grill0.4 mi away · 716 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Morris House Hotel0.3 mi away · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- AKA Washington Square0.4 mi away · 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel0.5 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philadelphia Marriott Old City0.5 mi away · 1 Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thomas Bond House0.5 mi away · 129 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia
- Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotel0.5 mi away · 237 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · Richard Allen
- · Absalom Jones
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church
Philadelphia, PA · est. 1991
In 1787 the formerly enslaved preacher Richard Allen purchased this ground and founded a congregation that would become the mother church of the African Methodist Episcopal denomination, the first independent Black church body in the United States. Born of a walkout against segregated worship, Mother Bethel gave African Americans a place to lead and worship on their own terms. The present church, raised in 1889, is the fourth to stand on a site Black Philadelphians have held continuously for more than two centuries.
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