Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Find in all years, or only checked years:




Or, view 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 or all years.

Song use statistics are also available.

Gum Pond Primitive Baptist Church

Eva, Morgan County, Alabama

Sunday, September 25, 2011

The annual Sacred Harp singing held at Gum Pond Primitive Baptist Church on the fourth Sunday in September was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by J.L. Hopper leading 171 and 48t. The morning prayer was offered by Robert Walker.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—J.L. Hopper; Vice Chairman—Milford Cobbs; Secretary—Judy Caudle.

Leaders: Milford Cobbs 285t, 127; Judy Caudle 56t, 61; Steve Cobbs 460, 480; David Light 112, 192; Nancy Thompson 65, 418; Loyd Ivey 101t, 108t; Darrell Swarens 267 (in memory of Travis Keeton), 198; Susan Cherones 40, 107.

RECESS

Milford Cobbs led 75 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Brandon Thompson 39b, 335; Gerald Holmes 28t, 49t; Carol Newman 68b, 490; Scot Ivey 83t (for Bud Oliver and S.T. Reed), 104; Bridgett Kennedy 82t; Buell Cobb 77b, 467; Lomax Ballinger 67, 378t; Cheyenne Ivey 77t, 208; Christopher Mann 31t, 38b; Blake Sisemore 436, 411; Robert Walker 84, 99. Milford Cobbs offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was brought to order by J.L. Hopper leading 295. Leaders: Scott Kennedy 49b, 162; J. C. Rutledge 31b, 30t.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Judy Caudle. She led 134 in honor of the following sick and shut-ins: Bud Oliver, Sammie Oliver, S.T. Reed, Lessie Reed, Julietta Haynes, Wilda Holmes, Jane Long, and Melaina Long.

Judy spoke and led 499 in memory of the following deceased: Marie Ivey, Travis Keeton, and Clarence McCool—Alabama; Bob Meek—Kentucky. She led 459 in memory of Aunt Bera Bradford. Elder Daniel Hopper closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Ben Bradford spoke to the class about his research concerning the number of sessions of this singing. He said that while talking with Uncle Herbert Cobbs several years ago, he found out that Jess Woodard was the first chairman of the September singing, and that Jess was 18 years old at the time. Ben said that Jess Woodard was born in 1868 (according to birth records), so that meant the first singing was held in 1886, making this singing 125 years old.

Leaders: Delone Cobbs 448b, 384; Ron Crocker 56b, 138b; Buckley Hopper 268, 457; Dan Hopper 240, 449; Glenda Hopper 276; J.L. Hopper 282; J.L. Hopper and Darrell Swarens 245.

J.L. Hopper led 46 as the closing song. David Light offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—J.L. Hopper; Vice Chairman—Milford Cobbs; Secretary—Judy Caudle