The AME Church was founded by Richard Allen (1760–1831) in 1816 when he called together five African-American congregations of the previously established Methodist Episcopal Church with the hope of escaping the discrimination that was commonplace in society, including churches. It was among the first denominations in the United States to be founded for this reason (rather than for theological distinctions).

The AME Church operates under an episcopal form of church government. The AME Church currently has 20 districts, each with its own bishop: 13 are based in the United States, mostly in the South, while seven are based in Africa. The global membership of the AME is around 2.5 million members, and it remains one of the largest Methodist denominations in the world.

AME persistently advocated for African Americans' civil and human rights through social improvement, religious autonomy, and political engagement while always being open to people of all racial backgrounds.

The AME motto, "God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, Holy Spirit Our Comforter, Humankind Our Family", reflects the basic beliefs of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The basic foundations of the beliefs of the church can be summarized in the Apostles' Creed, and The Twenty-Five Articles of Religion, held in common with other Methodist Episcopal congregations. The church also observes the official bylaws of the AME Church.