230 Year Tradition Broken At AME Church
Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia has made history by appointing its first female pastor since the church’s founding in the late 18th century. Established by Richard Allen, the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, in the 1790s, Mother Bethel announced Rev. Carolyn C. Cavaness as its new pastor on Saturday. The appointment was made by Bishop Samuel Green during the AME First Episcopal District Planning Meeting.
Rev. Cavaness, who previously served as pastor at Bethel AME Church in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, holds a degree in urban studies from Barnard College of Columbia University and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. In addition to her pastoral work, she has contributed to interfaith charitable initiatives and served as deputy finance director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.
At her first service as pastor on Sunday, Cavaness expressed her gratitude, saying she was both “honored and humbled” by the opportunity. Reflecting on her family’s legacy within the AME Church, she described herself as a “fourth-generation preacher” and paid tribute to the women who paved the way for her, such as Jarena Lee, the first woman authorized to preach in the AME Church in 1819.
Mother Bethel, which was founded by Richard Allen in the 1790s, has a rich history. The church’s current sanctuary, built in 1890, stands on the same property in Philadelphia. In recent months, the church has received support for preservation efforts, including a $90,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help maintain the building. This funding is part of a broader initiative to support historic Black churches across the country.