Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, January 17, 1994                   TAG: 9401170130
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

ALLEN SAYS HE'LL STAY THE SAME

"You're the first people I've shared this with publicly since walking into the Executive Mansion, but it's different," Allen said.

"But even though we live in a different place, we have to stay the same as we were before."

Allen, 41, took office Saturday as Virginia's first Republican governor in 12 years.

He was invited to the predominantly black Asbury United Methodist Church on Church Hill by James E. Laws, a member of the Richmond School Board and Allen's transition team.

Laws said Allen campaigned at a number of black churches during campaign. "When I asked him where he'd like to go to church his first Sunday as governor, he said, `Well, we never got to go to your church . . . we'll go to your church,' " Laws said.

The first family entered the small church to an organ prelude of "We Shall Overcome," played by Marvin Curtis, who composed and played music for President Clinton's inauguration last year.

Allen's wife, Susan, and 5-year-old daughter, Tyler, sat with him, while family and friends filled two pews across the aisle.

During the welcoming of guests, Laws introduced Allen, who briefly spoke to the 151-year-old congregation.

He read from a prayer by Thomas Jefferson, the nation's third president, to whom Allen often compares himself.

The congregation sang, "We Shall Overcome" at the end of the service. Allen held hands with Tyler and Laws to form part of a human chain of swaying worshipers.

Allen said he won't be taking off today, the Lee-Jackson-King state holiday.

"My speech to the General Assembly will be enough to work on. It still needs some fine-tuning."

Allen is to give his assessment of the state of the commonwealth to the General Assembly tonight.