The Rev. Dr. LeRoy Bailey, Jr., is celebrating his 40th year leading the congregation. When Dr. Bailey became pastor in 1970, the congregation's membership was 60. Today the congregation numbers about 11,000 and is New England's largest Baptist congregation. The congregation moved into its current 120,000 square foot edifice in Bloomfield in 1999. I haven't yet taken a picture of the cathedral that I like, but I will keep trying.
First Cathedral has a wonderful music program. Praises of Zion is the church's award-winning gospel choir. I recently visited the church while the choir was rehearsing for a concert later that evening.
21 comments:
Even in rehearsal this group looks as if it could rock the house. Sorry to hear about the loss of comments but at least you read most of them before they vanished.
Sing it out!
It must have been fun to listen to that choir! Were you clapping along with them?
I think it was a great night, wonderful music there!
Léia
I'm thinking there should be an audio link to this group. : ) I bet they sound terrific.
I bet the sound inside was downright inspiring! This looks like a very competent group.
Great capture and I'd love to hear them sing! Hope your day goes well, Jack! Enjoy!
Sylvia
That's an absolutely massive congregation. I bet Praises of Zion draws quite a crowd.
It's astounding that the congregation is so large!
Huge. I love a good choir!
I'm sure they are great! It must have been wonderful concert!
When my husband and I went to the New Orleans jazz festival the first time, we loved the Gospel Tent and the music we were hearing... It took us about 30 minutes to realize that we were hearing the set up crew just rocking it out!
This gospel choir you shot can raise a joyful noise I am sure!
Bises,
Genie
Choir music is so beautiful and I have no doubt this group was stunning.
I always like a good choir. My compliments to Reverend LeRoy Bailey for his excellent and productive work!
That's a huge congregation 11,000 - the choir music would have been a real treat!
Wonderful post today. Julie and I love gospel music. There is some gospel music in Costa Rica, as the Caribbean coast has some residents who trace their origins to Jamaica, either directly or through Nicaragua, who came to Costa Rica to work on the railroad and banana plantations.
You can imagine our surprise when we stopped in at a church in Stockholm, Lutheran, of course, and found that it had a gospel choir made up of typically blond Swede young people.
Very nice shot! Love gospel music too!
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Happy day, Jack****
Gospel music rocks, I defy anyone to sit still while listening to it!
It is always nice to listen into a rehearsal.
Jack, I did go back and purchase the cowgirl sign : )
I can hear the beat and feel the floor beneath my feet. Been there, heard that. Great fun!
Wow, the pastor must be awesome for his congregation to grow so much while so many others are shrinking!
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