The Thomas Chorus was founded in 1957 by the late pastor, Rev. J.W. Thomas after he saw the need for a children’s choir at First Corinthian. He decreed that the newly formed choir would carry his name, and thus was the beginning of the Thomas Chorus.
Bishop Harry Moore became the chorus’ first pianist. Shortly afterward, the Pastor’s grandson, Thomas V. Jackson (Tommy) became the musician for the Thomas Chorus. The chorus flourished over the years as children continued to join the singing group.
In the 1960’s, Tommy was succeeded by John R. Wilson of Enon Baptist Church as the choir’s pianist and director. He introduced the choir to a wide variety of church music and exposed the group to the talents of various gospel legends including, Gene Dukes, Kitty Parham, Rev. Ernest Davis, Rev. C.L. Franklin, Jr and (Rev.) Ernie Davis, Jr. Another local great that he introduced to the Thomas Chorus who worked with the choir as a Directress was Mrs. Gloria Neal (Story). Mrs. Neal worked diligently with the group and took "little" Angela Franklin under her wing. Gloria also introduced the group to outside gospel groups/organizations that she felt would be beneficial to the choir. One such organization was James Cleveland’s Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA). Ann Franklin soon began attending the annual GMWA conventions in August and brought many songs back to the choir...just in time for anniversary! Other directors/directresses during the late 60’s and early 70’s were: Amanda Williams (Cliett-Maddox) and Robert Bonner, Jr.
By the mid-70’s the choir was beginning to grow by leaps & bounds. Several members of the congregation served as supervisors for the choir including: Mrs. Dorothy Johnson, Mrs. Vera Rayburn, Ms. Annie Johnson, Mrs. Wilma Jackson and Mrs. Josephine Johnson-Benson (Ross). It was during this period that an age limit was adopted by the choir. A child must be at least 12 years of age in order to join the choir; but for some unknown reason, no maximum age limit was set. John Wilson was still the musician for the chorus and the directresses were Debby Mercer(Wesley), Ann Franklin (Bess) and Cheryl D. Thomas (Wesson). The Thomas Chorus continued to serve the church, and were also in demand across the Philadelphia area. They sang on numerous musical programs in churches in the city and was renown for the uniqueness of their repertoire.
In the early ‘80’s, led by his desire to pursue a theatrical career, John felt that it was necessary to leave First Corinthian. Not wanting to leave the Chorus without a musician, he began looking for a replacement. He observed that there was hidden talent in the Church. John began working with Calvinette Floyd and she assisted him in playing for the chorus. Once John left, Calvinette became the chorus’ pianist, a position which she held for several years. Afterwhich, Marlon (Rev.) Lewis became the choir’s pianist. In 1995 a percussionist was added to the musical staff, Kyle Wright.
In 1988, The Thomas Chorus released their sole recording entitled, "We’re Marching to Zion" on the New Joy (now Paradise Records) label. Consequently, the Thomas Chorus holds the distinction of being the first New Joy/Paradise Records artists, thus paving the way for other Paradise artists such as Rapture, Steve Middleton and Unity and Praise, Bryant Pugh and the Tri-State Mass Choir. The recording was aired via radio along the eastern seaboard. As a result of this successful venture, the Thomas Chorus has toured in several East Coast cities including Orlando, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia.
During the years members of the Thomas Chorus have remained active in various gospel organizations outside of First Corinthian. Many members are presently/or former members of other community choirs including: the Descendants, The Way, New Joy, The Overbrook Singers, The Philadelphia Mass Choir-GMWA, The Savettes, The David Winslow Singers, Gloria Neal & The Ladies of Song, Wagner Alumni Choir and the Tri-State Mass Choir- EHMAS.
Over the past fifty years the choir has experienced many highs and lows. At one point during the mid-eighties, this choir which previously had a roster of over sixty members, dwindled down to less than twenty members; but those few members continued to persevere. During this low point, the remaining members earnestly rededicated their lives to the Lord. Realizing that their singing was a ministry, the choir members began concentrating more on the biblical aspects of the songs that they choose to sing. They organized a Monday night Bible study group which met each week at a different member’s home. Recognizing that this was in conflict with the Church’s general Monday Night Bible Class, the chorus presented the idea of a Young Adult Bible Class to Pastor Silas Thomas. As a result, the Friday night Young Adult Bible Study and Prayer Meeting was created. Additionally a Sunday School class was formed especially for the Thomas Chorus. As the choir began to get more Spiritual-minded, the Lord continued to bless the Thomas Chorus with dedicated members.
The Chorus continues to grow and the members are involved in other ministries and auxiliaries of First Corinthian including: the Deacon and Deaconess Boards, the Trustee and Trustee Aid Boards, the Prayer Band, the Children’s Ministries, the Women’s Fellowship, the Saints Cafeteria, the First Corinthian Fellows, the Sunday School, the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Usher Boards, the Security Squad, the First Corinthian Multi-Resource Center, the Evangelism Team, and the Home Mission Board (just to name a few).
Presently the directress of the Thomas Chorus is: KAREN C. MERCER(Lewis), assisted by Deacon Gerald Wesson and alternate directors Cheryl D. Thomas-Wesson and Triesse Wesson-Laws. The musicians are Kyle Wright and Marlon Lewis, Jr. (percussionists).
Today, a choir that was initially organized as a children’s choir and subsequently aged to a teen choir has evolved into a contemporary adult gospel music ministry and an active and vital part of the First Corinthian Baptist Church.
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