CHICAGO - A landmark church known as the birthplace of gospel music has opened its doors for the first time since a fire two years ago ravaged the structure on the city's South Side.
-
(Photo: AP Images / M. Spencer Green)In this file photo, Tyrone Jordan, left, a trustee at Pilgrim Baptist Church, and Rev. Stanley Keeble of Logos Baptist Assembly, hug in front of the shell of the Pilgrim Baptist Church Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006 in Chicago that was destroyed by fire Friday. The landmark 1890 church on the city's South Side played a major role in the development of gospel music.
The historic Pilgrim Baptist Church played host Sunday to members of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs in Chicago for their annual convention. The group toured the salvaged space of the church.
The building was designed in the late 1800s by the famous architectural firm headed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler.
Mahalia Jackson, Sallie Martin, James Cleveland, and the Staples Singers are among those who have sung at the church.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
RSS
Birthplace of "Gospel Music"? Doubtful, being that the church was singing hymns and spiritual songs in the NT.