Sunday, May 15, 2011

Praises of Zion

First Cathedral is a huge Baptist congregation in Bloomfield, Connecticut, a town immediately to the north of Hartford. 

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.
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21 comments:

  1. brattcatMay 15, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    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.

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  2. BirdmanMay 15, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    Sing it out!

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  3. Leif HagenMay 15, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    It must have been fun to listen to that choir! Were you clapping along with them?

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  4. Cezar and LéiaMay 15, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    I think it was a great night, wonderful music there!
    Léia

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  5. SRQMay 15, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    I'm thinking there should be an audio link to this group. : ) I bet they sound terrific.

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  6. SharonMay 15, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    I bet the sound inside was downright inspiring! This looks like a very competent group.

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  7. Sylvia KMay 15, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Great capture and I'd love to hear them sing! Hope your day goes well, Jack! Enjoy!

    Sylvia

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  8. youth_in_asiaMay 15, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    That's an absolutely massive congregation. I bet Praises of Zion draws quite a crowd.

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  9. RedPatMay 15, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    It's astounding that the congregation is so large!

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  10. DawnMay 15, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Huge. I love a good choir!

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  11. jooMay 15, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    I'm sure they are great! It must have been wonderful concert!

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  12. Genie -- Paris and BeyondMay 15, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    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

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  13. MichelleMay 15, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Choir music is so beautiful and I have no doubt this group was stunning.

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  14. VPMay 15, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    I always like a good choir. My compliments to Reverend LeRoy Bailey for his excellent and productive work!

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  15. DianneMay 15, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    That's a huge congregation 11,000 - the choir music would have been a real treat!

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  16. Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.comMay 15, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    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.

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  17. CildemerMay 16, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    Very nice shot! Love gospel music too!

    ***
    Happy day, Jack****

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  18. PerthDailyPhotoMay 16, 2011 at 3:39 AM

    Gospel music rocks, I defy anyone to sit still while listening to it!

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  19. Regina KMay 16, 2011 at 6:02 AM

    It is always nice to listen into a rehearsal.

    Jack, I did go back and purchase the cowgirl sign : )

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  20. LowellMay 16, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    I can hear the beat and feel the floor beneath my feet. Been there, heard that. Great fun!

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  21. EG CameraGirlMay 17, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    Wow, the pastor must be awesome for his congregation to grow so much while so many others are shrinking!

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