ORIGIN

He That Believeth

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James C. Chambers

As a teen, James C. Chambers became director of the Radio Choir and later organized the youth choir at the Haven of Rest M.B. Church. Church, however, was not the only place where his gift was realized. In 1971, under the guidance of his music instructor at Chicago Vocational School, he crossed denomination barriers and organized the Ecclesiastes Community Choir.

This choir was nourished by James and the Lord for more than 20 years, and Ecclesiastes Community Choir flourished into one of the country's finest singing aggregations. In July 1988, James' greatest vision became reality when the Ecclesiastes Community Choir Music Workshop commenced at the Adult Continuing Education Department of Kennedy-King College. Its purpose was to enhance the performance quality and music administration of gospel music and to unite this city's choirs, community organizations, musicians, songwriters, and soloists. During that first workshop in 1988, James founded the Chicago Mass Choir. The Gospel community responded positively: In 1991 Chicago Mass was nominated in five categories for the Gospel Music Excellence awards and was named Best New Artist. In 1992, the Chicago Mass recording "I Can Go to the Rock" won Song of the Year.

LEGACY

Dr. Feranda Williamson

In 1994, the ECC Music Workshop/Chicago Mass Choir leadership was passed to Dr. Feranda Williamson, who had been a founding member and featured soloist of the Ecclesiastes Community Choir, and a longtime colleague and close friend of the group's beloved founder. Since that time, Dr. Williamson has led the group to record 18 albums, take multiple European tours and win the 2017 Stellar Award for Traditional Choir of the Year. In 2003, the choir sang “Pressing On” for the Grammy-nominated album, Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan. The group has often appeared on national television, including BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel and the Allstate Gospel Super Fest. In 2017, they performed on ABC7, and subsequently traveled to Houston, Texas to support families impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

Chicago Mass Choir contributed to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer, LUPUS Foundation, The Olive Branch Homeless Mission, Black Girls Dance, and I Am A Gentleman. They've sung at nursing homes, volunteered at nonprofits, and provided children with school supplies. In 2021, Dr. Williamson was recognized with an Eddy Award from the Impact Television Network for her "superb leadership and dedication as a music ministry leader to the Kingdom of God."