One of the great old gospel churches in Washington D.C. is Tabernacle Baptist Church. Founded in 1909, the church – at 719 E. Division Avenue NE – has had only seven pastors in that time... including the legendary Rev. G.L. Washington, who served from 1941 to 1979! It was under Rev. Washington that the Tabernacle Echoes were formed in 1955.
The Echoes have recorded a number of gospel albums through the years and have benefitted mightily from a long relationship with nearby Howard University. Two of the Echoes’ best-known members, Bernard Mavritte and Barbara Bennett, came directly from the Howard choir and chorus. For their HOB Records release in 1965, Mavritte wrote all of the songs, including this uptempo choir romp, “The Old Time Way.”
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU, the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries and is funded by generous support from the Prichard Foundation.