More than 10 years her senior, he had also once taught Aretha some piano technique when he lived with the Franklins in Detroit.įor this reunion, Cleveland brought members of his powerful gospel ensemble. By 1972, he’d been a gospel legend for at least as long as Franklin had been making pop hits. Reverend James Cleveland opened things up. That left lots of people standing,along the walls, in the back. This was before the renovations, so mostly everyone else who could get a seat was parked in a flip-up theater chair. He was in the back, where the projector used to be. The deacon was here that night, both nights, actually, when Aretha came. John Ford was an ironworker and a member of New Temple when the church moved here in the 1960s. "When i was a kid I used to come here to the movie theater," says congregant John Ford. The sanctuary floor slopes down very slightly from the front doors toward the pulpit. Even with the few dozen worshippers seated up front, it feels empty, this big space, wide and flat like a dress shirt box.
Only a few singers have shown up for service this Sunday morning. Today, the New Temple choir is doing its best. Reporter Christopher Johnson recently visited New Temple and spoke with people who still remember Lady Soul’s heavenly performance. Together with gospel giant Reverend James Cleveland, and in front of a live congregation, Aretha recorded what is still her best-selling album ever, 1972's "Amazing Grace." The album is also the best-selling Gospel record of all-time. Aretha Franklin was already an international superstar the weekend she stepped into New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in South Central L.A.
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