THE AME CHURCH AND PAUL QUINN COLLEGE ANNOUNCES THE RE-OPENING AND DEDICATION OF ITS CHAPEL IN TIME FOR SPRING GRADUATION – Dallasweekly

After more than a decade of hosting graduations outside or in the gym because of an inoperable chapel that wasnt up to standard, Paul Quinn College and the 10thEpiscopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church are excited to announce the re-opening and building re-dedication of the Richard Allen Chapel. The dedication ceremony and unveiling of the newly renovated chapel will take place on Friday, February 21, 2020 at 7 p.m. in the chapel on the campus of Paul Quinn College,3837 Simpson Stuart Road, Dallas, Texas 75241.

Under the leadership of its presiding prelate, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the 10thEpiscopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church invested more than three-quarters of a million dollars to perform an in-house sterilization, disinfection and restoration of the Richard Allen Chapel (RAC). The sterilization and disinfection process included the removal ofantiquated flooring, ceiling tiles, lighting fixtures, bathroom upgrades, etc. Extended restoration activities included, but were not limited to the upgrades and replacement of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; a modernized sound system; replacement of cotton broad-cloth seating to purple velour seating; lighting; automated toilet flush and hand faucet systems, along with designated seating areas for persons with disabilities. The historic lighting was able to be preserved.

The newly renovated chapel will serve as a worship center, classroom, lecture hall and fine arts space for the more than 500 students at Paul Quinn. It also has adequate space for graduation ceremonies and other large community events such as the annual performance of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

The 10th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church has been working since 2016 to restore and reopen the historic Richard Allen Chapel on the campus of Paul Quinn College in South Dallas. The first phase of renovation began in April 2019, with asbestos and mold remediation, where more than 11 tons of material and waste was removed.

The chapel dedication will take place during the annual Founders Day Celebration of the 10th Episcopal District of the AME Church. Services will start on Thursday, February 20, 2020 in the Richard Allen Chapel. Dr. Ralph D. West, pastor of the Church Without Walls in Houston and Dr. Freddie Haynes, pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas will be preaching on the opening night. The praise team from Friendship West, the 10th District choirs and the Paul Quinn College Choir, will be providing the music.

Bishop John Richard Bryant, retired Senior Bishop of the AME Church, former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Paul Quinn College and former presiding Bishop of the 10th District, will preach the dedication sermon on Friday, February 21st. The Unity Choir of Dallas, composed of multi-generational, multi-ethnic members will be the featured musical artists, along with the combined choir members of Paul Quinn and 10th District Choir. The Founders Day celebration concludes on Saturday, February 22nd, starting at 10 a.m. at the Anatole Hilton Hotel in Dallas. Bishop Preston W. Williams, retired Commission Chair of Higher Education, willbring the closing message.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, visitwww.10thdistrictame.org

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THE AME CHURCH AND PAUL QUINN COLLEGE ANNOUNCES THE RE-OPENING AND DEDICATION OF ITS CHAPEL IN TIME FOR SPRING GRADUATION - Dallasweekly