Detroit is known to the world as the Motor City, but the city also has been a cradle for the rich tapestry of gospel music. The city’s religious history is interwoven with the soul-stirring melodies and powerful messages that emanate from its Black churches, serving as the heartbeat for the evolution of gospel music.  

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One such beacon is Greater Grace Temple, a spiritual pillar that has played a pivotal role in shaping the gospel landscape, in Detroit and globally. Under the leadership of the late Bishop David L. Ellis, Sr., the church transformed from being on the brink of closure to becoming a symbol of hope for the city. Facing daunting financial challenges, Bishop Ellis Sr. embarked on a journey that would birth the “City of David” – a sanctuary for the broken, the hurting, and the lost. 

Following Bishop Ellis Sr.’s passing in 1996, his son, Charles H. Ellis III, took up the mantle. Since taking the helm, Bishop Ellis III has taken the church to new heights, witnessing an unprecedented surge in membership, and in 2002 the church celebrated the opening of its 20-acre complex known as the “City of David.”  

In conjunction with PBS’ “GOSPEL” docuseries, Bishop Ellis III, a member of American Black Journal’s Black Church in Detroit Advisory Panel, talks with “Detroit Performs” host Satori Shakoor and BridgeDetroit journalist Orlando Bailey about the history of Greater Grace Temple and the legacy of his late father, as well as the whooping tradition among African American preachers and his hopes for the future of gospel music in Detroit. Plus, watch a music video of Bishop Ellis III performing his original song “Done For Me,” with gospel singer Paul Porter. 

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Watch American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.