Clarence H. Cobbs
Clarence H. Cobbs | |
---|---|
Born | Clarence Henry Cobbs February 29, 1908 Memphis, Tennessee |
Died | June 28, 1979 Chicago, Illinois | (aged 71)
Resting place | Oak Woods Cemetery |
Occupation(s) | Clergyman, broadcaster |
Organization | First Church of Deliverance |
Clarence Henry Cobbs (February 29, 1908 – June 28, 1979) was an African-American spiritualist clergyman and broadcaster, the leader of the First Church of Deliverance in Chicago.
Early life
Clarence H. Cobbs was born in
The First Church of Deliverance
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/First_Church_of_Deliverance_2.jpg/220px-First_Church_of_Deliverance_2.jpg)
After Hedgepath's death, Cobbs founded his own congregation, the First Church of Deliverance. It initially met at his mother's residence, and moved to a storefront at 4155 South State Street in May 1929.[1][2][3] It moved again in 1930, to 4633 South State Street, and to a brick building at 4315 South Wabash Avenue in 1933.[1]
Nicknamed "Preacher", Cobbs became known for his fashionable clothes, informal manner, and stirring performances with the church's 200-member choir.[4] They appeared before large crowds in Comiskey Park, and began broadcasting services on radio station WSBC in 1935. The hour-long "Midnight Broadcast" pioneered a format which was followed by many subsequent religious programs.[1][3]
In 1939, the church moved into a large new building designed by Walter T. Bailey at its Wabash Avenue site,[5] and that same year, composer Kenneth Morris prevailed on Cobbs to install a Hammond organ, giving the choir's music a distinctive sound. Morris recalled,
I wanted nothing else. It sold itself. Reverend Clarence Cobbs was only too happy to get it because it did what he wanted [since] he wanted to use it for gospel purposes. It was the most unusual thing you ever heard. People came from all over just to hear me play that organ.[6]
By the early 1940s, the congregation had over 9,000 members.[2] It affiliated with the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ (MSCC), and after the death of Bishop William F. Taylor in 1945, Cobbs became the head of one of two successor segments, the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Incorporated. This would grow to include 130 churches, including ones in Ghana, Jamaica, and Liberia.[7]
In 1953, the Church of Deliverance became the first black church in the country to televise its services, which were carried on WLS-TV for 12 weeks.[3]
Personal life
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Grave_of_Clarence_Henry_Cobbs_%281908%E2%80%931979%29_at_Oak_Woods_Cemetery%2C_Chicago_1.jpg/200px-Grave_of_Clarence_Henry_Cobbs_%281908%E2%80%931979%29_at_Oak_Woods_Cemetery%2C_Chicago_1.jpg)
Though he never publicly discussed his orientation, it was rumored among churchgoers and
Cobbs was a member of the executive committee of the
Clarence H. Cobbs died at his home in Chicago on June 28, 1979.[11] He is interred in Oak Woods Cemetery.
Legacy
The First Church of Deliverance published music for gospel composers such as
Cobbs' hour-long radio broadcasts pioneered a format which was followed by many subsequent religious programs.[1][3]
The First Church of Deliverance building was designated a
References
- ^ ISBN 9780252097089. Retrieved February 10, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d Cabello, Tristan (March 13, 2012). "Queer Bronzeville, Part II: Being Black and Queer in 1940s Bronzeville: Race, Class and Queer Identities in Black Chicago, 1940–1950". Windy City Times. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Bey, Lee (February 15, 2010). "Art Moderne beauty: First Church of Deliverance". WBEZ. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ISBN 9780226253350. Retrieved February 10, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "First Church of Deliverance". Chicago Landmarks. Government of Chicago. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ISBN 9780252097089. Retrieved February 10, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ISBN 9781576074701. Retrieved February 10, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ISBN 9781400849345. Retrieved February 10, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ISSN 0011-1422. Retrieved February 10, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ISBN 9781604734287. Retrieved February 10, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Rev. Cobbs dies; founded Church of Deliverance". Chicago Tribune. June 30, 1979. p. 65. Retrieved February 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- JSTOR 3052539.
- JSTOR 3052539.
- ^ "Billy Williams Sings the Blues in His Death". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. November 2, 1972. p. 58. Retrieved February 10, 2020 – via Google Books.
External links
- Clarence H. Cobbs discography at Discogs