Charles L. Allen

Who was Charles L. Allen?

Charles Livingstone Allen was an American ordained Methodist minister most notable for his work as a Pastor.

Born in Newborn, Georgia, he ministered around the state, including 1948 to 1960 at Grace United Methodist in Atlanta. During his tenure at Grace, it became the largest congregation in Georgia and while at First Methodist it became the largest Methodist congregation in the world at 12,000 members. In 1960, he moved to Houston, Texas where he served at First United Methodist until 1983.

Allen was also a columnist for the Atlanta Journal and Atlanta Constitution during the 1950s and after that for the Houston Chronicle. He also authored inspirational books, including God's Psychiatry and Prayer Changes Things.

The section of Parkway Drive north of Ponce de Leon in Atlanta was renamed in his honor in the 1960s.