Biblical Scholar to Preach at Metropolitan

PRESS ROOM
METROPOLITAN AME CHURCH
1518 M St. NW
Washington, DC 20005

JUNE 23, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Anthony Hawkins
202-331-1426

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BIBLICAL SCHOLAR TO PREACH AT METROPOLITAN

WASHINGTON (June 23, 2010) -- Renowned preacher, author, divinity educator and scholar Dr. Cain Hope Felder will preach at Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, 1518 M St. NW, on Sunday, July 11 at 9 a.m. for the celebration of the historic church’s 172nd anniversary. Metropolitan is the oldest AME church in the nation’s capital and has hosted US presidents, statesmen and world leaders.

Recently declared one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historical Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Metropolitan will use the occasion to announce a multi-million dollar National Capital Campaign to help finance the restoration of its massive edifice. “The Washington community is invited to join us for this special event,” said the Rev. Ronald E. Braxton, Metropolitan’s senior minister.

Dr. Felder, professor of New Testament Language and Literature and editor of The Journal of Religious Thought at the Howard University School of Divinity, has been on Howard’s faculty since 1981. Prior to coming to Howard, he taught within the Department of Biblical Studies (1978-1981) at Princeton Theological Seminary. Founder of the Biblical Institute of Social Change (BISC), he was recently honored for “extraordinary accomplishments” at Howard University’s 86th Annual Charter Day Dinner. His books include “Troubling Biblical Waters: Race, Class, and Family” and “The Original African Heritage Study Bible.” He is a sought-after preacher, lecturer, consultant and media interviewee and has appeared in USA Today, The Washington Post, The New York Times and EBONY, and on BET, PBS, BBC and NBC.

Metropolitan, built by free blacks and former slaves as a connectional church for the African Methodist Episcopal denomination, is an important landmark of American history. Frederick Douglass, whose funeral was held at Metropolitan, often worshiped at the church. The memorial service for Booker T. Washington and the Washington funeral services for Rosa Parks were also held there.

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