40 Years of Legacy, Ever Growing in Faith
We are Murph Emmanuel AME Church Family, deeply committed to our members and communities through faith, worship, and service—united in one purpose: navigating life with God’s infinite wisdom and guidance toward a better life.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7
African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
The African Methodist Episcopal Church grew out of the Free African Society (FAS), founded in 1787 in Philadelphia by Richard Allen, a formerly enslaved man, Absalom Jones, and others seeking spiritual autonomy and mutual support. After African Americans were forcibly removed from prayer at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church, members of the FAS confronted the reality of racial discrimination within American Methodism and began forming an independent African congregation.
​
While many sought affiliation with the Protestant Episcopal Church, Richard Allen, who had secured his freedom through faith and perseverance, led a group committed to remaining Methodist. In 1794, Bethel A.M.E. Church was dedicated with Allen as pastor. To protect the church’s independence from white Methodist control, Allen successfully pursued legal action in 1807 and 1815, securing Bethel’s right to exist as an autonomous institution. As Black Methodists across the Mid-Atlantic faced similar injustice, Allen called them to gather in Philadelphia—leading to the formation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
​
With this foundation in place, Murph-Emmanuel A.M.E. Church began its own journey of faith and service in the North Highlands community.
About Our Church
We have an intimate church body of 76 members deeply committed to each other's well being and walk with Christ. We offer several ministries including a Young People's Division, Women of Emmanuel, Lay Organization, Music Ministry, and Food Distribution. We also partner with Narcotics Anonymous to offer weekly meetings through NA. We offer community programs to help with food insecurity and being with the whole self.
