Allen Temple Church

Originally established in 1871, Allen Temple Church’s historical journey in Greenville started in 1929 after being built by Juan Benito Molina who was the only black architect in Greenville in the early twentieth century. I grew up attending this church with my family and to this day, my family and I continue the tradition.

This church is important to me and my family because it symbolizes how strong my African American community was in the face of oppression. Generations of African Americans like my grandparents were evicted from this church because it ‘wasn’t ideal’ for a ‘colored church.’ It was located off the corners of Coffee and Church Streets--very close to Greenville's white downtown.

I remember my father telling me how when he was a kid, he and my grandparents church services had been moved to a blacksmith’s shop off the A&W.C. Railroad. A couple years later they finally were able to return when Allen Temple Church was accepted as a church for African Americans on our side of town.

Suggested Readings

SCDAH. Accessed March 22, 2019. http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/greenville/S10817723066/index.htm.

"Welcome to Allen Temple AME." Allen Temple AME Church. January 29, 2019. Accessed March 22, 2019. http://www.allentempleamechurch.org/.

"Allen Temple AME Church." The Green Book of South Carolina. Accessed March 22, 2019. https://greenbookofsc.com/locations/allen-temple-ame-church/.

"Iconic Black History Landmarks in Greenville County." Greenville Journal. February 06, 2019. Accessed March 22, 2019. https://greenvillejournal.com/2019/02/06/african-american-landmarks-played-an-important-part-in-greenvilles-black-history/.

"Allen Temple AME Church - Greenville, South Carolina." South Carolina Picture Project. Accessed March 23, 2019. https://www.scpictureproject.org/greenville-county/allen-temple-ame-church.html.