Sweet Hour of Prayer: Hymns and Spirituals on Piano -- Featuring Reverend Dennis H. Freeman

Abstract

During the pandemic, Reverend Dennis H. Freeman offered weekly musical devotions for members of the Witherspoon Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. He titled these weekly performances “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” drawing the name from the popular 19th-century hymn. Each week, the Church streamed his songs of encouragement online. This online offering continued and extended a long tradition in the Black Church of using hymns and spirituals to comfort and encourage the congregation during difficult times. This collection was recorded on August 28, 2020, at one of these special services at the Witherspoon Presbyterian Church.

Reverend. Dennis H. Freeman, Piano

Keesha Dixon, Vocals on track 7

Jillian Jones, Vocals on track 8

Track List: Sweet Hour of Prayer

Spirit of the Living God

God Will Take Care of You

I Trust in God

His Eye is on the Sparrow

What a Friend We have in Jesus

I Know the Lord Will Make a Way

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Old Rugged Cross

I Come to the Garden Alone

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus

Lord, I Want to be a Christian

The Lord’s Prayer

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Take My Hand, Precious Lord

Let the Words of My Mouth

Jon Kay, Project Director, Producer, and Field Recording Engineer

Lydia Campbel-Maher, Technical Support, and Liner Notes

Keesha Dixon, Community Scholar and Project Liaison

John Conant, Mix and Mastering Engineer

Emily Bryant, Graphic Designer