Bidwell Presbyterian Church will host the Sacred Heart Choral Ensemble, of Detroit, Michigan in concert on Saturday, July 13, at 6:00 p.m. The concert will be held at Bidwell Presbyterian Church, 1025 Liverpool St., on the North Side.
The Sacred Heart Choral Ensemble was formed in 1947 under the direction of Clarence Millard Hightower. Then known as the Blessed Martin de Porres Chorale, the group sang sacred Music for the Sunday High Mass. Due to their popularity the chorale began appearing at religious, civic and ecumenical functions due to their ability to sing a variety of music from opera to Latin to spirituals. As the 2nd Vatican Council met and the liturgical changes and other norms came into effect, Sacred Heart’s choir was well poised to meet the challenge. By 1968 Sacred Heart was one of the few Catholic churches singing gospel music.
Today the choir is known throughout Michigan and Ohio for their ability to joyfully and reverently incorporate gospel music into the Catholic Mass and for their ability to continue their tradition for singing choral, spirituals and gospel music. The choir’s ministry leads them to perform some 30+ concerts each year at churches of various denominations. The choir’s director John Thorne says: “This is true evangelization; sharing the gospel and letting others have an experience with the living God.”
Sacred Heart is the remnant of the first Black Catholic Parish (St. Peter Claver) in the Archdiocese of Detroit. In 1938 at the request of their bishop the 1st black Catholic congregation assumed the name and facilities of Sacred Heart Parish.
Today the parish is thriving with an active membership of over 3,000 parishioners and 40 ministries. Since 1968 the parish has been under the pastorate of Fr. Norman P. Thomas.
Event Details
Who: Sacred Heart Chorale Ensemble
What: Concert
Where: Bidwell Presbyterian Church
1025 Liverpool St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
When: Saturday, July 13, 2013 @ 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free-Will Offering
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