Event Details

Spirituals Concert

November 10


This past summer while on Sabbatical, Pastor Steven embarked on an in-depth study of African-American Spirituals.

Question: What do the songs, Kumbaya, and Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? have in common for St. Paul’s? For one thing, they are both tunes played by our carillon (bells), along with other hymns of the faith, from time to time. Another thing they have in common is that they are both African-American Spirituals, composed over 150 years ago by enslaved people in America who were not able to read or write.

How did these unwritten songs from so long ago become so important that we ring them from our steeple a century and a half later? These are some of the questions Pastor Steven will be addressing in a special concert/ presentation/ lecture/Q&A time.

People sing many Spirituals today, often completely unaware to the rich history behind them. Some of the songs that will be presented include Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen, Down by the Riverside, Go Down Moses, and Peace Like a River.

For this presentation, Pastor Steven will be joined by recording artist, Anakai Smith-Ney who is a respected jazz and Gospel singer. Audience members will also be invited to join in the singing. The concert is free and open to the public, though a free-will offering will be received from those who would like to help with the expenses.

There will be a time for questions and answers following the presentation. Our Fellowship Committee is planning a reception after thae concert. Our tech committee is responding to interest in having the presentation live-streamed for those who can't be here in person.