About Us

The “City Baptist Jubilee Choir Union” was founded in 1922, by a group of determined, and committed men of God.

In Columbia, there was a movement by several organizers and leaders who were resolved to enhance worship in the Black Church. This undertaking was led by a group of men from several area churches: James Barley and Deacon Frank McCormick of Zion Baptist Church and W. D. White of Union Baptist Church. Ebenezer Baptist Church and First Calvary Baptist Church also had a noticeable presence.

It would be an injustice to our communities and this society to allow such a tradition to vanish from our culture. Our goal is to ignite a fire, keep it going and proclaim the “message of Jesus” by way of Shape Note and Jubilee singing.

This ministry has the responsibility of proclaiming the “Good News” of Jesus Christ through our service to him by the vocal interpretation of Shape Notes, Jubilee and Gospel Singing. This CBJCU is a vessel that provides an atmosphere for Christian fellowship during predetermined sessions and in the community at identified facilities.

Our monthly Union sessions are currently suspended because of the Coronavirus pandemic, but we are optimistic to be back in session soon, at God’s bidding. Our sessions are rotated among the Union church choirs and each session is filled with singing, fellowshipping, praising God and occasionally voluntary testimonies.

The CBJC Union is affiliated with several local area Church choirs or Christian assemblies. Admission to the “City Baptist Jubilee Choir Union” is open to all religious dominations we do not discriminate or refuse entry to any Jubilee or Gospel Church choir meeting eligibility requirements.

The Churches that are currently on our membership roster are, Dennis Chapel, God’s Grace Jubilee Singers, New Hope, Second Nazareth, Temple Zion, Zion Chapel, and Zion Baptist We are affiliated with the CBJCU “Special”, this is a choir whose membership is staffed by Union and non-Union members and our repertoire consists of learning and singing shape note songs. We are blessed in that God has fitted us with a Choirmaster of “shape note” singing who directs, sings, and teaches this powerful genre.

We welcome you to join our fellowship as we experience spiritual and physical increase. Our unending goal is that our youth will take hold of this torch of “Shape Note/Jubilee singing.”