More Than 1500 People Expected In Philadelphia For Bishop Richard Allen Stamp Unveiling

PHILADELPHIA - Jan. 30, 2016 - PRLog -- In a special service, the United States Postal Service will unveil a new stamp honoring Richard Allen on Tuesday February 2nd at noon at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 419 South 6th Street (Richard Allen Way). Mother Bethel AME was founded by Allen in 1787 and his remains are entombed in the lower level of the church near the Richard Allen Museum. The Richard Allen stamp commemorates Allen's work as a preacher, activist, and civic leader, and coincides with the 200th anniversary of Allen’s founding of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, one of the most important institutions in African American life, and his election and consecration as its first bishop.

Born a slave on Feb. 14, 1760, Richard Allen lamented the bitterness of slavery. He purchased his own freedom in his twenties and became one of the most important African American leaders of his era. His life — a legacy of determination, uplift, charity and faith — remains an inspiration to all Americans.

The Richard Allen Forever Stamp is a portrait of Allen, a detail from an 1876 print titled, “Bishops of the A.M.E. Church.” Featuring Allen in the center surrounded by 10 other bishops and six historical vignettes, the print is from the collection of the Library Company of Philadelphia. This is the 39th stamp in the Black Heritage series.

Here is a list of program participants:  Dr. Joshua Colin, USPS Eastern Area Vice President; Vernon Jordan, Lazard Senior Managing Director; James F. Kenney, Mayor of Philadelphia; Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram, Presiding Prelate of the AME Church First Episcopal District; Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Ecumenical Officer & Endorsing Agent of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; Mark Kelly Tyler, 52nd Pastor of Mother Bethel AME Church; Teresa Frye Brown, Historiographer of the AME Church; J'Nai Bridges, Chicago Lyric Opera and lifetime member of the AME Church; Henry Louis Gates, CSAC Member.

For more information about Bishop Richard Allen or the stamp unveiling on Tuesday February 2nd at Noon at Mother Bethel AME Church, go to www.motherbethel.org or call (215) 925-0616. All media inquiries should be directed to TylerMadePR via email at TylerMadePR@gmail.com or call (609) 247-2632.