THE RICHARD ALLEN CHAPEL PAUL QUINN COLLEGE RESTORE
“…. took it to heart to renovate the Lord’s temple.
2 Chronicles 24:4
“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children…”
Proverbs 13:22 (NIV)
In the summer of 2016, clergy and lay leadership gathered on the campus of Paul Quinn College to engage is a session of vision casting, under the leadership of Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, presiding prelate of the 10th Episcopal District. The result was a decision to take on the renovation of the Richard Allen Chapel which has not been in use for more than a decade.
The renovated chapel would provide a worship center, classroom, lecture and fine arts space for more than 500 students. It would also provide an adequate place for graduation exercises and other large community events such as the annual performance of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The renovation would also allow the worship center and class rooms to be used by the 10th Episcopal District, as it would be the largest facility in the North Texas area.
Currently, Paul Quinn College, under the leadership of President, Dr. Michael Sorrell, is building a new life and living learning center to increase dormitory housing for students. It will be the first new structure on the campus in several decades. It behooved the 10th District to mount this effort to reopen the chapel while the school was increasing its capacity to house students that were currently housed off-campus.
A Launch Luncheon was held at the 10th District November Planning Meeting 2018 where several alumni of Paul Quinn College were honored. A Power Point presentation was made that lifted the need to begin the renovation of the Chapel.
At Founder’s Day 2019, the next phase of fundraising began. It was an endeavor that everyone, including our extended Bishop College and Paul Quinn Alumni families could participate including our AME family and other circles of influence.
On April 2, 2019, the first phase of the renovation began, with asbestos and mold remediation. More than 5 tons of material has been removed with an additional 6 tons of waste to go. The seats are being unbolted from the floor in preparation for restored seating. Mold filled acoustic panels were removed. The electricity has been restored and historic lighting preserved. The roof has been repaired in five different places to avoid additional deterioration.
The next phase will continue through the spring and summer which includes aesthetics, acoustics, seating, sound and video systems.
With your help, we will be able to complete the chapel area and restroom renovation, upgrade AVAC, repair plumbing, enhance security and renovate the main entry.
By the grace of God, we can do it together to restore this gift! Help us to reach beyond ourselves for the future! Help us!
Just go to www.10thdistrictame.org and click on the Richard Allen Chapel icon to donate. You can also give through the Givelify app. For more information contact the 10th Episcopal District Office, (214) 333-2632 and/or Paul Quinn Trustee, Rev. George Johnson at revgeorgejj1@gmail.com.
