© 2025 KWBU
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Rosie Wallace and the First Church of Love, Faith, and Deliverance Choir

Few could match the power of Evangelist Rosie Wallace and the First Church of Love, Faith and Deliverance Choir of Philadelphia!

Rosie Wallace first came to the attention of gospel music lovers as the astonishing lead singer with the Imperial Gospel Singers of Philadelphia. Eventually, she left the Imperials and founded the First Church of Love, Faith and Deliverance and became Evangelist Rosie Wallace. Her very first recording with her choir produced the well-loved gospel song, “God Cares.”

After that, every Evangelist Rosie album was a special occasion. Her multi-octave voice, songwriting and sheer presence dominated every stage, every recording session. When it was time for her next recording, industry giant Savoy Records brought in its top people, including famed producer the Rev. Fred Roberts. From 1968, sit back and enjoy the power of Evangelist Rosie Wallace and the First Church Choir’s spine-tingling rendition of “Lord, Please Hold My Hand.”

Evangelist Rosie Wallace - Lord Please Hold My Hand

I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.

Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - "I Can Feel Him" by The Rev. H.B. Crum and His Mighty Golden Keys
The Rev. H.B. Crum and His Mighty Golden Keys, “I Can Feel Him” is an exciting example of gospel’s transition from traditional doo-wop harmonies to a more soulful sound.
SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - I Came to Preach a Sermon by Rev. Johnny "The Hurricane" Jones
The Rev. Johnny “The Hurricane” Jones preached and sang at Second Mount Olive Baptist Church in Atlanta for nearly 60 years!
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - 'I Call Jesus My Rock' by Willie Webb Singers
The Willie Webb Singers showcased Willie’s amazing keyboards, vocals and songwriting.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - 'A City Called Heaven' by Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson’s majestic, magnificent version of “City Called Heaven” is one of the great powerhouse vocals in gospel music history.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - Eddie Williams and the Crusaders
The powerhouse vocals of Christine Clark dominate Evangelist Eddie Williams and the Crusader’s arrangement of “Abraham, Martin & John.”
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - Sister Jessie Mae Renfro
Sister Jessie Mae Renfro excelled at the kind of slow, bluesy gospel surge song, like this one – “He’s So Wonderful.”
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Famous Blue Jay Singers
The Famous Blue Jay Singers novelty release “Clanka Lanka” celebrates one of the most famous phrases in gospel quartet singing history.
Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Hampton Institute Quartet
The Hampton Institute Quartet’s rendition of the beloved cam meeting singalong, “Old Time Religion,” dates back to 1939.
SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - “I Want to be Ready” by The Congregational Church Choir
The Congregational Church Choir’s scratchy “I Want to be Ready” is a rare and wonderful example of a jubilee song from 1927.
SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - “I Want to Be Loved” by The Exciting Gospel Incredibles
The Exciting Incredibles live up to their name with the deep Southern soul gospel groove of “I Want to Be Loved.”

Robert F. Darden is the author of two dozen books, most recently: Nothing But Love in God’s Water, Volume II: Black Sacred Music from Sit-In to Resurrection City (Penn State University Press, 2016); Nothing But Love in God’s Water, Volume I: Black Sacred Music from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement(Penn State University Press, 2014); Jesus Laughed: The Redemptive Power of Humor(Abingdon Press, 2008), Reluctant Prophets and Clueless Disciples: Understanding the Bible by Telling Its Stories(Abingdon Press, 2006); and People Get Ready! A New History of Black Gospel Music(Continuum/Bloomsbury, 2004).