Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest church in the southeast Washington, DC area.  Recorded history indicates that in 1850 a group wanted a place where they could gather and worship God.  Although the recorded history of Allen dates back only to 1850, we know from facts handed down from generations that a band of pioneer Christians gathered on This spot long before that date

Allen has a rich and deep history, steeped in tradition, focused on the future, and rooted in Christianity, as well as the African Methodist Episcopal doctrine of self-help, self-esteem, and spiritual integrity.

Since 2005, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., Allen has taken on an inspired spiritual renewal.  Beginning with an idea, a consecrated dime, faith, prayer, and struggle, a newly engaged Allen emerged as a guiding symbol of Christian faith.  As a result of the growth and expansion of God’s work, several different ministries have grown to address the needs of the church membership and the community:    Children and Youth Ministries, Young Adult Ministries,    Women’s and Men’s Ministries, Singles, Married, and Couples Ministries, Food Pantry Ministry, Evangelism and Outreach Ministry.

Further, the Sanctuary Choir was organized to continue and maintain the heritage and legacy of traditional church music, such as hymns, anthems, and spirituals.  Pastor Bell’s vision of community activism and evangelism led to the church receiving noteworthy attention and exposure across news media networks as efforts were made to address the national issue of hunger and poverty found in the church’s community.

By the grace of God, and due to Pastor Bell’s prophetic teaching, Allen received over two-thousand accessions, almost sixteen hundred conversions, and performed more than 200 baptisms.  Although his preaching career is filled with several memories crossing decades, his most awe-inspiring experience just may have been the day he preached on Resurrection Sunday, April 2010, to a church filled that included the forty-fourth President of the United States, President Barak Obama; the nation’s First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama; their daughters Sasha and Malia, and Mrs. Marian Robinson, mother of the First Lady.  The Allen Chapel Family was honored and blessed to be able to share this historical event in the life of the Church.

During the 2011-2012 church year, Allen completed a beautification and restoration project in the sanctuary and vestibule before serving as host church for the 2011 Capitol District Conference.

To care for seniors in the District of Columbia, Allen’s mission was to assist in building housing for them.  Ten years in the making, the Senior Housing Project, named the Roundtree Residence, across the street from the church was completed in 2012.

On Sunday, September 9, 2012, the church successfully launched it first “Live-Streaming” worship service to seamlessly share in real-time the worship service with those who are unable to attend and to reach a global audience using various social media platforms.  

In 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, expanded use of technology was employed to reach the masses as social distancing was necessary to stop the spread of the deadly virus.  

Today, the awesome, amazing, and audacious Allen and the dynamic move of the Holy Spirit have indeed manifested themselves in ways that border on the miraculous because the people dare to believe that with God, they can do the impossible.  As this church of Zion moves toward God’s light, only He knows what tomorrow will bring.