WS Chronicle

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PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Postal Service has kicked off the national observance of Black History Month with the dedication of a Forever stamp honoring preacher, activist and civic leader Richard Allen for his inspirational life and profound contribution to American history.

The ceremony was held Feb. 2 at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, founded by Allen.

The stamp is the 39th in the Postal Service’s Black Heritage stamp series, which began in 1978 with a stamp honoring abolitionist Harriet Tubman. It coincides with the 200th anniversary of Allen’s founding of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, considered one of the most important institutions in African-American life, and Allen’s election and consecration as A.M.E.’s first bishop. Other African-Americans honored in the Black Heritage stamp series include Martin Luther King, Jr., Benjamin Banneker, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Mary McLeod Bethune, Langston Hughes, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Marian Anderson, Hattie McDaniel, Ella Fitzgerald, John H. Johnson, Barbara Jordan and Shirley Chisholm.

“Richard Allen was a man of boundless stature, courage and determination. The Postal Service is pleased to dedicate this special commemorative Forever stamp in his honor,” said Postal Service vice president, area operations — Eastern Area, Joshua D. Colin, who dedicated the stamp.

“Frederick Douglass and later Martin Luther King Jr., both said that they were influenced by how Bishop Allen seemed to channel a higher power to work through him to shepherd blacks through some of this country’s darkest days. I hope this stamp will inspire every American to learn more about this uplifting man,” Colin said.

Customers may purchase the Richard Allen Forever stamp at usps.com/stamps, at the Postal Store usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide. A variety of stamps and collectibles are also available at ebay.com/stamps. The stamp art is a portrait of Allen, a detail from an 1876 print titled “Bishops of the A.M.E. Church” from the collection of the Library Company of Philadelphia.

Allen’s Life and Legacy

When Richard Allen (1760–1831) lamented the bitterness of slavery, he spoke from experience –but this remarkably resolute and industrious man purchased his own freedom in his twenties and became one of the most important African-American leaders of his era.

After making a name for himself as a traveling minister throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Allen was asked to preach to his fellow African-Americans at a Methodist church in Philadelphia. He quickly rose to prominence as a civic leader, co-founding an organization to help African-American neighbors in need, rallying black Philadelphians to serve as aid workers during a yellow fever epidemic in 1793, and preparing the black community to defend the city during the War of 1812.

Eager to establish an independent African-American church, Allen purchased an old black-smith’s shop and moved it to land he owned at Sixth and Lombard Streets. Bethel Church was dedicated in 1794 and soon attracted hundreds of members, but Allen spent years in conflict with white church leaders who sought to assert their control. At one point, they tried to sell the building out from under him, but as a successful businessman, Allen was able to buy it back at auction. After a campaign that included sit-ins by African-Americans and a judgment by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the congregation secured its independence. In 1816, Allen summoned other black Methodist leaders to Philadelphia, where together they founded the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, electing and consecrating Allen as its first bishop.

Today, Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church stands on the site where Allen converted that old black-smith’s shop more than two centuries ago. The denomination he founded now boasts more than 2.5 mil-lion members. His life — a legacy of determination, uplift, charity and faith —remains an inspiration to all Americans.