Chairman of the 1960 Men's Day program, Dea. Thomas J.
Jenkins, suggested that the music at that year's program be provided by
a choir made up of the men of Beulah Grove. The suggestion was
eagerly accepted by our late pastor, Rev. B. I. Vernon and the men of our
congregation. The group performed well receiving many compliments.
Later in the year, Dea. Jenkins suggested that the men
who sang for the program organize a permanent chorus and render music
once a month for our church family during worship service. The
suggestion was readily approved by the late pastor, thus the formation
of a male chorus at Beulah Grove.
President
Henry Joseph
Vice President
Richard Dyches
Secretary
Theodore Sturgis
Chaplain
Lewis Golphin
Treasurer
Willie Burnett
Welfare
William Howard
Organist
Louise Jenkins
Members
William Albea
Thomas Jenkins
Lawrence Key
Oscar Calloway
Alfonzia O'Bryant
Willie Martin
Willie Sturgis
Hardy Higgins
Rufus Britt
Joe Samuels
Sam Brown
L. Strowbridge
Later Additions
Willie L. Edney Parnell Jones
Charlie Hunter Fred Chappel
In 1975 the chorus became known as the Thomas J. Jenkins
Male Chorus in honor of the man that worked diligently to develop the
group's formation. 1978 thru 1980 the chorus sponsored a picnic
for the young people of the church. First Sunday in August, the
chorus rendered music for the Missionary Anniversary.
1981 thru 1982 our organist, Mrs. Jenkins
experienced illness. Mr. Milledge Kyler assumed the
responsibilities. On March 13, 1982, Mr. Kyler became our full
time organist. November 1982 was the start of a male chorus
tradition where as Thanksgiving dinners were provided and served to
approximately one hundred area nursing home patients, senior community
and church members.
In Spring of 2001, Bro. Marlon Stokes became our full
time organist. In the summer of 2003, Bro. Christopher Thompkins
became our full time organist. The chorus has sponsored an outing
to Tybee Beach in Savannah, Georgia and to the Atlanta Braves baseball
games in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2004 we have been able to get more
members to take lead songs during our Sunday worships. We have
also increased membership, gotten together for more dinners, went to
baseball games as a form of fellowship and purchased new uniforms.
In 2005 the Male Chorus fellowshipped at a local bowling
alley in which members tested their bowling skills against Frederick
Cephas, the then current choir president. Also, under his
leadership the Male Chorus accompanied Pastor Davis to fellowship with
Berean Baptist Church in Philadelphia for their annual revival.
The Male Chorus has participated in several functions
around the city of Augusta, GA as well as the M. L. King Day Celebration
at Thankful Baptist Church, Lincolnton, GA and the Rosemary Baptist
Church in Barnwell, SC.
