This Week in Christian History: Salvation Army, Father of Gospel Music, Catholic Reformer Burned
Charles Albert Tindley Born - July 7, 1851
This week marks the anniversary of the birth of Charles Albert Tindley, a minister who composed many popular Gospel music hymns.
A native of Berlin, Maryland whose father was a slave, Tindley became pastor of East Bainbridge Street Church and helped to grow the church considerably.
The mind behind songs like "Stand by Me," "Nothing Between," and "Beams of Heaven," in 1982 the Smithsonian presented a combination musical tribute and colloquium on his work.
"Tindley's compositions influenced Thomas A. Dorsey and Roberta Martin, and formed the base for a new black urban sacred music — gospel," reported The Washington Post at the time.
"Later, the hymns composed during the twilight of Tindley's ministry reflected his faith — 'Spiritual Springtime,' 'A Better Day Is Coming By-and-By,' 'The Home of the Soul,' 'I'll Be Satisfied,' and 'He'll Take You Through.' These and many other hymns establish, without fear of contradiction, that Tindley was the father of gospel music."
