History of the Chancel Choir   

The Chancel Choir was organized in 1956 in the home of Alneta Davis Simmons, who became the  first choir President. The choir's first director, Mr. George Shirley, has since been acclaimed nationally and internationally as a lead tenor at the Metropolitan Opera. Grace Ashby-O'Neal served as the first accompanist. When George Shirley left Detroit to serve in the United States Army, Gil-Blas Jackson served as director.

The third director of the choir was Mr. I. Herbert Mobley, who  with James Frazier as an accompanist, presented the choir in Dubois' "Seven Last Word's of Christ." In 1959, the choir was presented in concert at the Kellogg Center in Lansing, Michigan, by the International Council of Community Churches. In 1960 , an album of anthems and spirituals was released. In that same year, the title of "Choir of the Year" was bestowed on the choir by the Michigan Chronicle.

In 1960, Mr. Frazier was named the fourth director of the Chancel Choir, as well as Minister of Music at People's Community Church. During James Frazier's tenure, with Christine Stewart as an accompanist, the choir made its first presentation of Handel's "Messiah," won the Michigan Chronicle's Choir Contest, performed the oratorio "Elijah", performed Bach's 'B' "Minor Mass" and produced its second album.

Added to the choir's list of accomplishments was the second place award at the Chicago Tribune Music Festival in 1961. A highlight of 1962, was the choir premier performance of the new Christmas Cantata 'The Ballard of the Brown King' by Margaret Bonds and Langston Hudges. The choir was honored in having the composer, Margaret Bonds, at the piano for this performance at Wayne State University.

Cordell Robinson directed the choir in 1965, and was followed by Clarence O'Neal in 1966. Accompanists for Clarence O'Neal included Christine Stewart, Mildred Dobey and Charles Jeter. In 1974 Charles Jeter was named Minister of Music and director of the Chancel Choir. Dr. Augustus Hill served in these capacities from 1987 to 1992. Christine Stewart served as director and accompanist from 1992 to 1996.

In 1996, Dr. Stanley Waldon, well known musician locally, nationally and internationally, became the choir's director and continues to serve in this capacity. Alex Resin serves as the accompanist. Under Dr. Waldon's leadership, the choir perfomed 'Elijah' in 1998, and performed Robert Ray's 'Gospel Mass' at the University of Chicago, in July of 2000.