W. James Abbington

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W. James Abbington was a scholar, musician, and theologian who listened to Black sacred music and heard a theology no one had written down. Image Credit: Candler School of Theology, Emory University

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Before W. James Abbington left for the University of Michigan, Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. gave him advice.

Embrace scholarship, but never forget the roots of Black worship.

At Michigan, he studied the Classics.

But he never forgot: Thomas Dorsey. Charles Albert Tindley. Lucy Campbell.

He spent decades teaching Black sacred music.

For eight years, more than 30 Black musicians, pastors, and scholars notated Black hymns.

Baptist next to Methodist next to AME next to COGIC next to Pentecostal next to Catholic.

2001. The African American Heritage Hymnal was published. 575 songs.

Written to reflect how they’re sung in Black churches.

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Theme: “Sound & Power”

Date Published: Monday, January 12, 2026

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