The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church was born out of conflict with bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Philadelphia. As a result Richard Allen, Absalom Jones and others co-founded The African Free Society in 1787.

In 1794, Allen and like-minded members of the church Free African Society founded Bethel AME Church and declared independence from the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1816, Allen became the AME Church's first bishop. In 1891, a few of Bakersfield's earliest black immigrants incorporated the first local AME congregation. Eight years later, the founders constructed the first church building at California Avenue and "O" St.

The church was named Cain Memorial AME in honor of Bishop Richard Harvey Cain. The Vessell, Caldwell, Campbell, Stevens, Green and Pickney families were among its founders.

Henry Simpson, Henry Spencer and Al Drisdon were among those who laid the cornerstones for the first church and the present structure at 630 California Avenue.

The first Sunday School was organized by Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Walder, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Houston, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gillum, Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Green and Charlotte Simpson.