History of the Senior Choir

 

During the pastorate of the late Rev. John Skinner (1927-1936), it was obvious that there should be an organized group singing in the church. On the first Sunday in September 1938, the choir made its first appearance as a group.

 

The Senior Choir was organized during the 1930s under the tutelage of Mrs. Zetella G. Watson. Some of the first members included: Mrs. Emma Pugh, Mrs. Emma Speller, Mrs. Estelle Stewart, Mrs. Martha Watson, Mrs. Mary Jordan, Mrs. Mattie Speller, Mr. Harvey Speller, Evangelist Ophelia Speller, Mrs. Beulah Beasley, Mrs. Sallie Everette, Mrs. Acerie Pugh, Dr. Willa D. Hunt, Mrs. Alice Ballance, Mrs. Doretha Harrell, Mr. Lincoln Bond, Mrs. Eva Ward, Mrs. Mary V. Bond, Mr. Caldwell Cooper, Mrs. Juanita Jordan, Mr. Sylvester Bond, Mr. Robert T. Bond, Mr. Milton Sutton, Mr. Dempsey Bond, Deacon James Miller, Mrs. Mary Basnight, Katrina Watson and many others.

 

Some of the early officers included: Dr. Willa Hunt, Zetella Watson, Eva Ward, Mattie Speller, Beulah Jordan, Lincoln Bond, E.W. Speller, Mary McGee, Annie Rascoe, Mary Basnight, and Annie Craig. The present officers are: Joyce Rascoe, President; Mildred Turner, Vice President; Margaret W. Watford, Secretary; Jackie Hyman, Treasurer; This position was held by Sister Mattie Speller for many decades.

 

As the years moved on, so did some of the members, but the choir continued to grow. For many years, the main focus of this choir was to sing hymns from the Baptist Hymnal. As musicians changed so did the style of music, but not our objective. Musicians have included Mrs. Zetella G. Watson, Organizer; Mrs. Mabel Wynn, Mr. William Kenny Stepney, Ms. Evelyn Harmon, and presently, Mrs. Betty Spivey.

 

Our existing officers are: President, Joyce Rascoe; Vice President, Linda Bond, and recorder, Hannah Bazemore; other members are: Jackie Hyman, Christine Bond, Marie Bunch, Twinner Bond, Mary Barnes, Mary Jordan, Golena Speller, Elsie Morris, Dora Mitchell, Vashti Cooper, Bertha Brooks, Carolyn Outlaw, Mildred Turner, Delma Bond, Charlie Stewart, Kelvin Outlaw, and Calvin Bond.

 

An additional choir that grew from the Senior Choir in the 1980-1990s was the Hallelujah Choir. Deacon James Miller, Sr. was President and Emma “Peaches” Pugh was Vice President. Other members were Margaret Watford, Mary Jordan, Annie Rascoe, Joyce Rascoe, Jackie Hyman, Mary Barnes, Annie Craig, Vashti Cooper, Martha Watson, Esteller Stewart, Christine Bond, Acerie Rascoe, Mary V. Bond, Mary McGee, Emma “Foot” Pugh, Elisa Barrow and there were many others.

 

We are presently called the “Mass Choir” of Cedar Landing Missionary Baptist Church. Currently, our new members are Linda Bond, Margaret Bunch, Dorothy Spivey, Diane Wilson, Katherine Bond, Lorenzo Massey, Kelvin Outlaw, Jr., Keith Harrell, Marie Bunch, Gladys Bond, Lori Askew, Tommy Stewart, Stacey Rascoe, Elsie Morris, Golena Speller, Julias Harrell, Dora Mitchell and James Stewart.

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Now we praise the Lord from the Hymnal and some modern gospel songs. As we spread the gospel through song, we continue to let our focus be, “Lord prepare us to be a Sanctuary so we can continue to praise the Lord with our music each time that we sing. We are not just singing but lifting the name of Jesus and helping to spread the gospel.