Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Pastor plans to run in Columbus Marathon to raise money for church repairs

LANCASTER -- Keeping Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church up and running can be a struggle say church leaders.
"We are always looking for help to keep it running," said Allen Chapel pastor Evan Saunders. "Right now we need windows repaired and replaced and new siding on the church."

Since running it falls to Saunders, he has decided to take it to the next step, or at least the next 26.2 miles in the Columbus Marathon.

"Its a way to raise money for the restoration and maintenance of the church," Saunders said.
It started as an idea from Saunders' wife, Susan.

"He had just completed a 5K race for the Circle of Friends," Susan said.
They were trying to come up with ideas and found out that he could run for the church in the upcoming Columbus Marathon, on Oct. 21.

"They kind of volunteered me," said Saunders. "There's a big difference between a 5K race and at 26.2 Marathon. I'll be lucky to complete it. But any money raised will go directly into the church repairs."

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 221 E. Walnut St., was one of the first black churches in Fairfield County and has been in operation since 1869. It stands prominently on the hill between South Pearl Street and High Street across from South School.

The original church was started in 1814 when a settler named Emmanuel Carpenter donated land between Pearl Avenue and High Street to a group of black Baptists. They built a log cabin church in center of what now is Walnut Street.

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