Lest We Forget: Legends of Detroit Gospel


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Click here to see installation photographs of the exhibition.

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During the 1980s, Detroit became known as the "Gospel Music Capital of the World," but Detroit has long been an integral part of gospel's development, thanks to an abundance of gifted singers, composers, and instrumentalists. Various popular musical styles have been influenced by the sound of gospel soloists, groups and choirs. Today Detroit is a nationally recognized gospel mecca, known for its mass choirs and talented directors, its award-winning record artists, composers and arrangers, and as the birthplace of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, the largest organization of its kind in the United States. "Lest We Forget: Legends of Detroit Gospel" celebrates the richness of the gospel music tradition, while also honoring four of its major contributors: Mattie Moss Clark, The Reverend C. L. Franklin, the Reverend Charles H. Nicks, Jr., and Minister Thomas A. Whitfield. Each of these honorees helped shaped Detroit's image as a major center for gospel music. This exhibition is a first effort by the board of GPAC, the Gospel Performing Arts Center, which has as its goal the development of a facility that will perpetuate, celebrate and educate the community about gospel music.

This exhibition has been displayed at the following sites: Bailey Cathedral, Detroit, MI; Bethel AME Church, Detroit, MI; Detroit Opera House, Detroit, MI; Detroit Public Library, Detroit, MI; Dexter Elmhurst Family and Community Center, Detroit, MI; The Mall at Stonecrest, Lithonia, GA; Malone College, Canton, OH; Monroe County Library System, Monroe, MI; Montcalm Community College, Sidney, MI; New Bethel Baptist Church, Detroit, MI; Olivet College, Olivet, MI; Perfecting Church, Detroit, MI; Port Huron Museum, Port Huron, MI; Third New Hope Church, Detroit, MI; University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI; Your Heritage House, Detroit, MI; Park Library Baber Room, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI; and The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, Canton, MI.

This traveling exhibition is a Michigan State University Museum, Michigan Traditional Arts program activity made possible by the financial and in-kind support of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, MSU Office of the Provost, Ford Motor Company, and the University of Michigan-Dearborn (Office of the Provost and Office of the Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Letters).For information

PICTURED:Singer, composer, choral director Mattie Moss Clark, one of the four legends of Detroit Gospel featured in the exhibit.