JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The U.S. Postal Service and the Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church dedicated the 39th stamp in the USPS Black Heritage stamp series commemorating preacher, activist and civic leader Richard Allen in a ceremony held today at the church in Jefferson City, Missouri.  The stamp coincides with the 200th anniversary of Bishop Allen’s founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.)

Allen’s life is a legacy of determination, charity and faith and remains an inspiration to all Americans.  The A.M.E. denomination that he founded now boasts more than 2.5 million members. It remains an indispensable institution in African-American life.

“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 Jefferson City Postmaster Jason Hirschvogel.

Joining Hirschvogel to dedicate the stamp were Pastor of the Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church
Dr. Cassandra Gould; Presiding Elder, A.M.E. St Louis Columbia District Reverend Darlene Singer Smith; Dean of Administration and Student Affairs, Lincoln University Dr. Jerome Offord; Missouri State President, NAACP Nimrod Chapel and Mayor Carrie Tergin.  The office of Missouri State Representative, 75th District Rochelle Walton Gray presented a proclamation honoring the 200th anniversary of the founding of the A.M.E. Church, its founder Richard Allen and Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church.

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.

The commemorative postmark for the Richard Allen Stamp dedication is available for 30 days at the Jefferson City Post Office. Customers may purchase new stamps at local Post Offices, at the Postal Store usps.com/shop or by calling 800-STAMP-24. Affix the stamps to envelopes, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in envelopes addressed to:

Richard Allen Stamp
Postmaster
131 W. High St.
Jefferson City, MO  65101-9998

After applying the commemorative postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for postmarks up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by March 27, 2016.

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