In 1866, immediately after Emancipation, many ex-slaves with their families
settled in Southeast Atlanta in what was known as Summerhill. Many of the people loved the principles of the African Methodist
Church and there was a desire on their part to establish a branch
of this church in this section. There was an A.M.E. Church on Jenkins Street at the time and a committee from Summerhill visited
this church and requested some one be sent to organize a church for them. Elder J. Wood was designated as the man to organize this church in Summerhill. In the spring of 1866 under the leadership of Elder Wood a Brush Arbor was built at the corner of Crumbley and Martin Streets where the first service was held. After holding service in the Brush Arbor several times and prayer
meetings in the different homes in the community a lot was bought
at the corner of Hammock Place and Martin Street where the first
Church was built. It was named Wood’s Chapel in honor of Reverend
Wood who remained as pastor until 1869. Reverend A.G. Gonickey, George Washington, Taylor, Lowe and Lazarus
Gardner served as Reverend Wood’s immediate successors and then
Reverend Wood was sent to the church for a second term. It seems that
this church was destined from the beginning to be a beacon light for the
community. Reverend Wood, sensing this situation inspired the members
to purchase a lot further up in the community on a higher hill so that they
might have a great Church. Later Reverend John Yeiser, who came to the
church from Rhode Island, had a larger vision. The site which they had
purchased was sold; a new site, the one on which Allen Temple stood for
75 years, was purchased and he succeeded in carrying the congregation into
the first unit of the $50,000 edifice. The new church was called Allen Temple
in memory of the founder of the A.M.E. Church, Bishop Richard Allen. Immediately following Reverend Yeiser the great revivalist, Reverend A.S. Jackson arrived; he added many members to the church and made it possible
for Reverend Downs, his successor to complete the main auditorium of the
building and install the first organ. In the next few years the program of expansion continued under Reverend E. Holmes, who purchased the site on which the former Clarke Street parsonage
stood. Reverend E. Lee followed this pastor. Following that dynamic leader came the sweet singer, poet and scholar,
Reverend A. Whitman, during his pastorate he organized the first
Missionary Society. Reverend Whitman served a short time and the Master
called him while serving the church. After his passing, the new pastor,
Reverend W. H. Heard, organized the first Usher Association and reorganized
a group which met every Sunday afternoon. The group called the Allen Christian
Endeavor League became the first organized league in the church. When the Reverend William Alfred Fountain became the pastor, the expansion program continued. Property on the corner adjacent to the church was purchased and beautified; the building was improved; and more that 300 young people were baptized during his pastorate. The great gospel preacher, Reverend H. D. Canady, came next. His outstanding contribution was the organization of the young
women of the church into an auxiliary to the Ushers Association. This organization he called the “Usherettes.”
