The St. John "A" Baptist Gospel Choir

Front Row: George Love
Left to Right: George Gibson, Matthew Gibson, Benjamin Gibson Jr., George Taylor (Deceased), Marion Scott, Lucille Miller, Gedell Gibson, Laura Bryson, Emma Caldwell, Olivia Metz. Not pictured: Julie Jemerson

The St. John "A" Baptist Choir is comprised of a members of the St. John "A" Baptist Church located on 20 Dalton St. in the Kenilworth neighborhood of Asheville, NC.

Most of the members of the choir are over the age of 65 with strong connections to Asheville. Lucille Miller, George Love and George Gibson are all over the age of 90. 

Olivia Metz plays keyboards and is the Choir Director. 

Gospel music is a genre of Christian music. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century with roots in the black oral tradition. Hymns and sacred songs were often repeated in a call and response fashion. Most of the churches relied on hand clapping and foot stomping as rhythmic accompaniment. Most of the singing was done a cappella.

Listen to the St. John "A" Baptist Choir
https://youtu.be/064mpKuCTo8 "Living Testimony" 
https://youtu.be/2hdPWQRY38A "I Love to Praise Him"

St. John "A" Baptist church located at 20 Dalton Street, Asheville NC

“During the Jim Crow era, community-based churches were a crucial source of social and spiritual support for many Southern blacks—even the poorest church was an institution that was black-led and provided a much-needed space for community participation.” (Let the Church Say Amen, documentary.)

"The St. John "A" Baptist Church was organized one hundred years or so years ago. Prayer meetings began with persons from South Asheville traveling to Haw Creek joining with persons there. They gathered under a large oak tree in the community. They worshipped and organized themselves as St. John "A" Missionary Baptist Church. Baptism took place in the Swannanoa River and later Kenilworth Lake.
The original wood church structure was built July 1, 1914, but was destroyed by fire. The current brick structure was erected in 1929. In the 1950's the back part of the church was added with inside steps leading downstairs. Over the years, additional rooms were developed including a dining room, kitchen, and ladies lounge. the current Baptismal Pool was installed under the leadership of Rev. J.H. Sullivan in 1991."  

– From the St. John "A" Baptist Church records.