Selma’s historic Brown Chapel AME Church will host the Founder’s Day Celebration for the Ninth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church on Feb. 6-7.

The public is invited to all meetings of this annual gathering honoring the founder of the denomination, Richard Allen. The Ninth Episcopal District comprises the state of Alabama. Bishop T. Larry Kirkland has invited all AME ministers in the state to attend and for all churches to send representatives.

The theme of the celebration is “The Church: A Rock to Be Reckoned With” – Matthew 16:18.

The conference will begin at 10 a.m., Feb. 6, with a 30-minute devotion and general assembly. Following workshops there will be a two-hour service of preaching beginning at noon. There will be workshops and other activities Friday afternoon. The evening worship service will be at 7 p.m.

Saturday activities begin at 8:30 a.m. and the concluding worship service will be at 11:30 a.m.

All events will be held at Brown Chapel in Selma.

The Rev. James E. Jackson, pastor of Brown Chapel church, said that he expects about 500 to attend the conference. Since the church seats 800-900 there will be plenty of room for visitors, he said.

The AME Church was formed 217 years ago – in 1787 – when Africans worshiping in a white Methodist church in Philadelphia left after being treated with hostility by white members of the congregation.

Founder’s Day is one of four annual statewide gatherings held in different churches state-wide, according to Jackson. These include a Planning Meeting held in November, Founder’s Day in February, Mid-Year Convocation in March and Youth Crusade for Christ in May.

For information, call the church at (334) 874-7897.