Contact: Samuel E. Cromwell
33rd Anniversary concert (2010),
tenor and bass sections
33rd Anniversary concert (2010),
soprano section
33rd Anniversary concert (2010),
alto section
The Saint Augustine Gospel Choir was established in 1977 by Rev. Raymond Kemp, then the pastor of St. Augustine. The Choir’s repertoire consists of African American spirituals, hymns, and contemporary Gospel music, and it sings at the 12:30 p.m. Sunday Mass. God blessed us with our highly gifted Director, Mr. Samuel Edison Cromwell, in 1998.
The Gospel Choir’s mission:
• Provide musical support to enhance the liturgical, sacramental, and worship services of Saint Augustine Catholic Church;
• Offer spiritual and musical witness in support of the evangelical, educational, cultural and service ministries of the Saint Augustine community;
• Bear musical witness to communities of faith throughout the world in any setting that God provides.
The Saint Augustine Gospel Choir has had an exciting 34 years, spreading God’s praises singing in places such as Saint Peter’s Basilica and in The Vatican for Pope John Paul II, performing in Costa Rica for the African Diaspora Festival of the Flowers and in Toulouse, France.
The Choir has also had the distinguished honor of performing several times in the White House for former President and Mrs. William J. Clinton; in April 2008 for Pope Benedict XVI and President and Mrs. George W. Bush for the Pope’s second visit to the United States. More recently in 2010 and 2011, the Choir performed at the residence of Vice President and Dr. Joseph Biden for their Christmas Celebration.
In February 2011, the Choir participated in Pathmark’s Gospel Choir Competition in Harlem at the world famous Apollo Theater and came in first runner up. In addition, following an invitation from the Gospel Choir of Saarbrücken that visited us in October 2009, we bore musical witness, with our “Saint Augustine Spirit,” in Frankfurt, Germany where we ministered in a series of concerts in Saarbrucken, Bettingen, Trier, and Klarenthal, Germany in June 2011.
Watch a video of our performance of “We Are Marching in the Light of God.” at the 9/11 Unity Walk.
It’s not unusual for visitors to St. Augustine’s 12:30 p.m. Sunday Mass to comment about our choir and church.
For more information, please contact the church office at 202-265-1470.
Please keep us in your prayers.
PSALM 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
PRAISE THE LORD