Mattie Moss Clark

Mattie Moss Clark (born Mattie Juliet Moss; March 26, 1925 – September 22, 1994) was an American gospel choir director and the mother of The Clark Sisters, a gospel vocal group. She was the longest-serving international minister of music for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). "Her arrangements, perhaps influenced by her classical training, replaced the unison or two-part textures of earlier gospel music with three-part settings of the music for soprano, alto, and tenor voice ranges—a technique that remained common in gospel choir music for decades afterward."

Early life Mattie Juliet Moss was born the seventh of nine children to ministers Fred John Moss and Mattie Juliet Walker in Selma, Alabama. She began playing piano at six. By twelve, she had become the musician for her mother's services at the Holiness Temple Church of Christ in Prayer and traveled with her mother to play at mission services, a trend she passed on to daughter Twinkie.

After high school, she attended Selma University and received training in classical music and choral singing. She moved to Detroit in 1947 to be with her sister Sybil Burke and became a member of Greater Love Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. There, under the leadership of Bishop W. Rimson, she was baptized in the Holy Ghost and subsequently became the minister of music for both Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction and Bailey Cathedral Church of God in Christ, under Bishop John Seth Bailey. Soon she was in demand to train choirs at churches throughout the brotherhood of COGIC. She received three gold albums with the Southwest Michigan State Choir, and went on to write and arrange hundreds of songs and recorded over 50 albums. She directed Cadillac Motor Company's Christmas choir for 11 years and also conducted community-wide mass choirs for the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinners.

In early 1968, Clark and Elma Hendricks convened a Sing-A-Rama in Detroit at Reverend C. L. Franklin's New Bethel Baptist Church (Detroit, Michigan). They formed a 1,000 voice choir and had gospel singer James Cleveland as a special guest. Cleveland so enjoyed the music and teaching classes that he told Clark he would like to create a similar convocation and maybe call it the Music Workshop of America. He suggested that he add "Gospel" to the title to let prospective attendees know it was gospel music only. The first Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) convention took place in August 1968 at the King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit.

In 1979, she founded the Clark Conservatory of Music, a music school in Detroit, which was subsequently headed by her daughter Dorinda Clark-Cole.

In 1981, Trinity College in Pennsylvania conferred upon her the degree of Doctor of Humanities. After the death of Bishop Bailey in 1985, she continued as state minister of music for Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction #1, attending Greater Mitchell Church of God in Christ, under Bishop J.H. Sheard.

Personal life Clark married twice. She married her first husband, Leo Henry Cullum Sr, on December 30, 1945, and had two children, Leo Henry Cullum, Jr. and Jacqueline Lenita. After their divorce, she married Elder Elbert Clark (1927-2001) on November 30, 1952, and had four children, Denise Darchell, Elbernita Dionne, Dorinda Grace, and Karen Valencia. The Clarks divorced in 1973. Dr. Clark mentored her daughters, having them sing as part of her and their father's church's choir, Berea Church of God In Christ.

In 1973, shortly after divorcing Elbert Clark, Clark sparked the forming of The Clark Sisters. After nearly ten years, Clark passed responsibility for the group to daughter Twinkie (Elbernita), who became the leader of the group.

Later years In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Clark's health began to decline due to diabetes. According to Dorinda Clark-Cole, she had her right leg amputated and suffered a stroke, due to which she used a wheelchair. Despite failing health, Clark continued to record music into the last year of her life before succumbing to complications from diabetes on September 22, 1994, at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan, at age 69.

In addition to The Clark Sisters, Mattie Moss Clark's gospel singing legacy continues through her grandchildren Kierra Sheard, J. Drew Sheard, Angel Chisholm, Lorenzo, Larry and Derrick (of the Clark Brothers), and her nephews Bill Moss Jr., and J. Moss (part of the production team PAJAM).

Actress Aunjanue Ellis played Clark in the 2020 Lifetime biopic The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel to positive feedback from fans, critics, and the Clark Sisters themselves.

Discography Studio albums + List of albums with dates released, and references Title Album detailsA City Called Heaven(with The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ) Released: 1966 Label: Savoy Records Formats: LPMattie Moss Clark and The Clesiastic Sounds of the Church of God In Christ Detroit, Mich Released: 1969 Label: Savoy Records Formats: LPSeek Him And He Will Let You Come In Released: 1970 Label: Savoy Records Formats: LPWonderful Grace Of Jesus Released: 1971 Label: Westbound Records Formats: LPThat's Christ(with The Michigan State Community Choir) Released: 1972 Label: Westbound Records Formats: LPThe Hands Of God Reached Out And Touched Me(with The South Michigan State Community Choir) Released: 1973 Label: Westbound Records Formats: LPA Song Is Born Vol. 1 Released: 1973 Label: Bilesse Records Formats: LPI Don't Know What I Would Do Without The Lord(with The Michigan State Community Choir) Released: 1974 Label: Westbound Records Formats: LPThe Wages Of Sin Is Death(with The Michigan State Community Choir) Released: 1975 Label: Sound of Gospel Records Formats: LPHe Was Hung-Up For My Hang-Ups Released: 1976 Label: Sound of Gospel Records Formats: LPNew Dimensions Of Christmas Carols(with The Clark Sisters) Released: 1978 Label: Sound of Gospel Records Formats: LPI Am Crucified With Christ(with The Michigan State Community Choir) Released: 1978 Label: Sound of Gospel Records Formats: LPMake Me That Building Not Made By Hand Released: 1979 Label: Sound of Gospel Records Formats: LPI Am Not Alone Released: 1979 Label: Sound of Gospel Records Formats: LPIs My Living In Vain(with The Dynamic Clark Sisters) Released: 1980 Label: New Birth Records, Point Productions, Sony Music Special Products Formats: LP, CD, CassetteGod's Got All You Need(with The Michigan State Community Choir) Released: 1980 Label: Sound of Gospel Records Formats: LPThat's Christ Released: 1980 Label: Sound of Gospel Records Formats: LPDouglas Miller And The Texas Southeast State Choir With Mattie M. Clark (Recorded Live)(with Douglas Miller) Released: 1981 Label: GosPearl Records Formats: LPHumble Thyself(with The Southwest Michigan State Choir) Released: 1984 Label: DME Records Formats: LP, CassetteThe Southern California Holy Gospel Music Workshop Released: 1986 Label: Spirit & Truth Records Formats: LPWatch Ye Therefore(with The Michigan State Mass Choir) Released: 1994 Label: Crystal Rose Records, Sparrow Records Formats: LP

Albums directed and presented + List of albums with dates released, and references Album Year Notes The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Directed By Mattie Moss Clark: None But The Pure In Heart 1964 Director The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Directed By Mattie Moss Clark: Wonderful, Wonderful Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Directed By Mattie Moss Clark: Lord, Renew My Spirit Within 1968 65th Annual Holy Convocation (Pentecost At Any Cost) 1973 Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters 1974 Presenter A Song Is Born Vol. III 1975 Director A Song Is Born: Volume 4 Part 1 1976 A Song Is Born: Volume 4 Part 2 Presenter Because He Lives 1979 Director The Best Of The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Composer, Arranger, Director U.N.A.C. 5 Volume One Producer, Director U.N.A.C. 5 Volume Three U.N.A.C. 5 Volume Four Live! U.N.A.C. 5 Miami Beach 1980 Volume 2 1980 Director Mattie Moss Clark presents Esther Smith & The Voices Of Deliverance – Recorded Live! At International Gospel Center, Ecorse, Michigan Presenter Mattie Moss Clark Directs Southwest Michigan State Choir – Christ Won't Fail 1982 Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Greater Williams Temple Choir (C.O.G.I.C.) – Live Christ Won't Fail Director Mattie Moss Clark Presents Kenneth Ward & The Central Illinois Mass Choir 1983 Presenter Mattie Moss Clark, U.N.A.C-V Presents A Song Is Born, Recorded Live in Washington, D.C. 1984 Mattie Moss Clark Presents UNAC 5* – Live At The Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, Florida - July 6, 1985 1985 Booking, Presenter, Executive Producer Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Church Of God In Christ International Mass Choir "A Song Is Born" - UNAC 5 Houston 1986 - Recorded Live 1986 Producer, Presenter Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents Corey Skinner’s Collegiate Voices Of Faith 1993 Presenter Mattie Moss Clark Presents The C.O.G.I.C. National Music Choir – Live In Atlanta 1994 Mattie Moss Clark Presents A Reunion Of The Southwest Michigan State Choir (Recorded Live At Bailey Cathedral C.O.G.I.C., Detroit, MI) 1995 Mattie Moss Clark Presents Tony McGill & The Southern California Holy Gospel Music Feast (Live In Los Angeles)

Other appearances + List of songs appeared on with dates released Title Year Album "Lord Do Something For Me" 1959 Lord Do Something For Me "None But The Pure In Heart" 1964 The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Directed By Mattie Moss Clark: None But The Pure In Heart "I've Tried Jesus Yes He's Real" "Sanctify Me Holy" "Put On The Whole Armour Of God" "Wonderful! Wonderful!" The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Directed By Mattie Moss Clark: Wonderful, Wonderful "Put Your Trust In Jesus" "I Found Joy In The Holy Ghost" 1967 A Closer Walk With Thee "He Will Supply Your Need" "What I Need To Keep Me" 1968 Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ Directed By Mattie Moss Clark: Lord, Renew My Spirit Within "Lord, Renew My Spirit Within" "He Abides" 1971 James Cleveland Presents The Gospel Workshop Of America Mass Choir – Recorded Live In Dallas, Texas "Renew My Spirit" 1974 Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters "Jesus Loves You" 1976 Unworthy "Time To Seek The Lord" 1978 Count It All Joy "Prepare Yourself" "My Cup Runneth Over" 1979 He Gave Me Nothing To Lose "He Abides" The Best Of The Southwest Michigan State Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ "None But The Pure In My Heart" "Sanctify Me Holy" "Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful" "Lord Renew My Spirit Within" "Salvation Is Free" "He Delivered Me" "Now The Day Is Over" 1980 Mattie Moss Clark presents Esther Smith & The Voices Of Deliverance – Recorded Live! At International Gospel Center, Ecorse, Michigan "Thy Word Have I Hidden In My Heart" "We Have Come To Worship" Take One Day At A Time "Unto Thee Old Lord" "Blessed Be Thy Name" "I Can Do All things" COGIC International Mass Choir Presents: I Can Do All Things "Even Me Lord" "Psalms 31" 1981 You Brought the Sunshine "Someday" 1982 Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Greater Williams Temple Choir (C.O.G.I.C.) – Live "Never Mind" Sincerely "Christ Won't Fail" Mattie Moss Clark Directs Southwest Michigan State Choir – Christ Won't Fail "The Lord Is My Light" "Lift Up The Standard For The King" "I've Never Seen The Righteous Forsaken" 1986 Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Church Of God In Christ International Mass Choir "A Song Is Born" - UNAC 5 Houston 1986 - Recorded Live "My Faith Looks Up To Thee" (arranged by Moss Clark) "I Tried Jesus" 1993 Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents Corey Skinner’s Collegiate Voices Of Faith "Be Still And Know That I Am God" 1994 Dr. Mattie Moss Clark* Presents The C.O.G.I.C. National Music Choir – Live In Atlanta "Be Still (Reprise)"

Accolades Year Organization Award Result Ref. 1981 Trinity College Honorary Doctorate degree of Humanity 1990 Michigan State University Michigan Heritage Award 1998 Michigan's International Gospel Music Hall of Fame