Members of St. James AME Church will host a Founder’s Day celebration at 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at the church, 402 E. Shine St.
This year, the organization will commemorate the 252nd birthday of its founder, Richard Allen, and the 224th anniversary of the AME Church.
Founded by Allen in 1787 in Philadelphia, the church was the first major religious denomination in the western world that originated because of sociological rather than theological differences. Allen, Absalom Jones and a group of others were pulled from the altar during prayer because they were in an area designated for whites in 18th-century Philadelphia. This event spurred the group to form a church of their own. The AME Church of today has membership in 20 Episcopal districts, 39 countries and on five continents.
The Rev. Veronica Jackson will be the speaker, accompanied by Terrell Fields and The Community Voices. Jackson has been pastor of Emmanuel Hill Memorial FWB Church for 15 years, and her professional background includes entrepreneur and experience in the fields of communications, education, social services and hospital administration. She is active in a variety of denominational affairs and has won numerous awards.
A Kinston native, she works with Friends in Ministry to improve the well-being and quality of life for residents of Kinston-Lenoir County through spiritual empowerment, social awareness and community service.
The public is invited to join in the Sunday afternoon celebration.