RALEIGH, N.C. — People from across the Diocese of Raleigh gathered at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Feb. 7 for a sold-out jazz brunch that celebrated Black History Month and honored the 43-year legacy of the cathedral’s Spiritual Choir.
Hosted in the parish center, the event marked the first Black History Month jazz brunch organized by the choir and offered a meaningful blend of music, history, fellowship and faith. Harry Taylor, who has served as the choir’s “career director” since 1994, welcomed attendees and opened the celebration by leading the choir and audience in singing Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson. In his remarks, Taylor invited the community to return next year with family and friends as the celebration continues to grow.
A choir rooted in history and worship
Founded on June 7, 1982, the Spiritual Choir was organized through the joint efforts of [then] Father Thomas Paul Hadden, the first African American priest in the Diocese of Raleigh and the first African American rector of a U.S. cathedral, and members of the former Black Catholic Outreach Organization at Sacred Heart [then] Cathedral. (Hadden was named a monsignor in 2000 and died in 2012 at age 83.)
The choir was established to encourage full participation in the liturgy while honoring African American sacred music traditions alongside traditional Catholic hymns.
During the brunch, reflections on the choir’s history offered recognition of both current and deceased members whose dedication shaped the ministry over four decades. Past directors Reginald Jeffreys and Willie Mae Jordan were also honored for their contributions.
Music that bridges generations
The Dessaline Ford Trio performed during brunch, with featured performances by soloist Corey Leak and saxophonist Byron Lampkins, offering selections spanning jazz, spirituals, R&B and soul. The program also included a moving solo by Julia Hall, who sang The Goodness of God accompanied by the Spiritual Choir with participation from the attendees.
Monsignor David Brockman, rector and pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, offered grace before the meal and reflected on the enduring influence of Monsignor Hadden, noting his foundational role in establishing the choir, his vision for inclusive worship and his advancement of African American Catholic life within the diocese.
Community voices and witness
Among the guests was NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, who recognized Taylor as a retired employee of her office and encouraged continued celebration of African American history and the richness of cultural diversity across North Carolina and the nation.
Graham Witherspoon, principal of Cathedral School, also addressed attendees, sharing the school’s guiding motto: “At Cathedral, we love God, learning, and each other,” and highlighting initiatives that connect students to faith, service and community.
Singing faith forward
For more than four decades, the Spiritual Choir has served as music ministers at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, singing weekly at the Sunday 12:30 p.m. Mass and during major liturgical seasons. The choir also continues to support diocesan celebrations, including African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization Network liturgies. Those involved with the choir live out a belief that is often attributed to the late Monsignor Jerry Sherba: “When we sing, we pray twice.”
Jennifer Jones is the administrator of AAMEN and NAC in the Diocese of Raleigh.
Photos
Photos by Quincy Purvis
