"I think people really enjoy being able to put feet to their faith," Tyler said.
At a packed service at Zion AME Church, at 21st and Tasker streets, in South Philadelphia, the church's senior pastor, the Rev. Simon Bouie, said that he was "delighted" to host congregants from his sister church.
Bouie, 72, said that it's important for black voters to turn out as they did in the 2008 election and to educate young black people who are "far removed" from the struggles of their ancestors.
"We haven't gotten to the top yet, and we need to help people understand the history and legacy of the climb," he said. "Voting means a lot to us, and we don't mind having it in our churches because we've gone through a lot of unpleasant experiences to get it."
The service included a sermon about the power of praise from the Rev. Jacqueline Capers, of North Philadelphia's Ruffin Nichols Memorial AME Church, who preached so passionately that one of her earrings fell out.
"Voting allows us to be part of the solution," Capers said after the service. "It doesn't matter where you came from, rich or poor, you have a voice and can be heard."
Hattie Ellerbe, 79, a Mother Bethel member since 1937, said that registering people to vote was "sort of like our faith in action."
"I usually can't tear myself away from Mother Bethel, but this morning was wonderful," she said. "We were welcomed with open arms and we loved them back."
Following the service, Mother Bethel members registered people to vote, checked their registration at CanIVote.org and informed them about voter-ID laws in the church basement.
About 10 people filled out registration forms, including Eugene Riley, 50, of South Philadelphia.
"I have voted in almost every election since I was 18, but I just wanted to make sure I was still registered," Riley said. "Voting is a wonderful experience, and I have a female companion that is always pushing me to vote."
Pat Manson, 54, a Zion member from South Philadelphia, filled out a change-of-address form.
"I already filled out one in Montgomery County, but I never heard anything back, so I have to make sure," she said. "I think everyone needs to be counted."
Contact Stephanie Farr at farrs@phillynews.com or 215-854-4225. Follow her on Twitter @FarFarrAway. Read her blog at PhillyConfidential.com.
