Lee, Jarena - Timeline Biography
Time Period
1783 - 1855
Description
Jarena Lee was born to poor black parents and had very little religious training. However, a sermon in 1804 by Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, eventually led to a conversion experience. A few months later, she experienced sanctification.
In 1809, a call from God told her, “Go preach the Gospel!” Yet, Richard Allen initially denied her permission to preach due to Methodist bylaws until she gave a powerful testimony that captivated the entire congregation at Bethel Church AME in 1819. He then allowed her to be preach on the itinerary circuit, which she did for more than 30 years to both blacks and whites. In 1827 alone, she traveled 2,325 miles and gave 178 sermons. Her experiences were chronicled in her autobiography entitled Religious Experience and Journal of Mrs. Jarena Lee (1836).
As one of the first black female preachers in America, she was a pioneer for female leadership.
In 1809, a call from God told her, “Go preach the Gospel!” Yet, Richard Allen initially denied her permission to preach due to Methodist bylaws until she gave a powerful testimony that captivated the entire congregation at Bethel Church AME in 1819. He then allowed her to be preach on the itinerary circuit, which she did for more than 30 years to both blacks and whites. In 1827 alone, she traveled 2,325 miles and gave 178 sermons. Her experiences were chronicled in her autobiography entitled Religious Experience and Journal of Mrs. Jarena Lee (1836).
As one of the first black female preachers in America, she was a pioneer for female leadership.
Interactive Timeline(s)
Browse Related Timeline Entries
Religious Groups
Methodist/Pietist Family: Other ARDA LinksMethodist/Pietist Family: Religious Family Tree
Events
Publication of Religious Experience and Journal of Mrs. Jarena LeeRelated Dictionary Terms
African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), Christianity, Methodist-Pietist Family, ProtestantismPhotographs
Jarena Lee portrait- Internet Archive- from Religious Experience and Journal of Mrs. Jarena Lee
Book/Journal Source(s)
Murphy, Larry, J. Gordon Melton, and Gary Ward, 1993. Encyclopedia of African American Religions New York: Garland.Reid, Daniel, Robert Linder, Bruce Shelley, and Harry Stout, 1990. Dictionary of Christianity in America Downers Grove, IL.
Web Source(s)
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/godinamerica-early-american-individuals/Jarena Lee entry in PBS' "God In America" series
Web Page Contributor
Benjamin T. GurrentzAffliated with: Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in Sociology
