March was a month full of celebrations. Chicago’s own Pastor Maceo L. Woods and the Christian Tabernacle Church Baptist celebrated the church’s 50th Anniversary. Pastor Woods is known throughout the United States as a premiere gospel organist and choirmaster. His soulful interpretation of Amazing Grace recorded on the Vee Jay Record Label catapulted Woods to critical acclaim and led to appearances at the famous Apollo Theater and Madison Square Garden. The famed Christian Tabernacle Concert Choir has recorded several albums for the Savoy and Volt Record labels producing such hits as “Hello Sunshine,” “I Found Jesus (and I’m Glad),” “Step to Jesus” and many others. Pastor Woods will detail his experiences in “A Graceful Journey” to be published by Faithday Press and scheduled for an early summer 2010 release.
Other notable church anniversaries are Pastor Thomas Lee Barrett and the Life Center Church of God in Christ 
celebrating 42 years with services throughout the month of March. The Destiny Worship Center Church family celebrated Founders Weekend 2010 and the birthday of their pastor, the inimitable Elder DeAndrae Patterson, with a concert featuring The Brown Sisters, Donald Woods and His People, Greater Harvest Church Choir, the ECC Reunion Choir, and the Destiny Worship and Praise Chorale. Pastor Jamal Bryant closed out the festivities as the guest speaker on Sunday evening.
March was also the month to celebrate birthdays. Gospel Legend Delois Barrett Campbell (one of the original Roberta Martin Singers and leader of the world renowned Barrett Sisters who were featured in the critically acclaimed documentary “Say Amen Somebody”) celebrated her 84th birthday with a musical salute at Chicago’s historic First Church of Deliverance. The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin took note of the celebration and although unable to be there in person, she sent Delois a lovely floral arrangement.
Other March birthdays include Pastor W. James Campbell and the Chicago Gospel Music Heritage Museum’s Rev. 
Stanley Keeble. Speaking of the museum, an informational breakfast was held back in February to give a status on the museum’s opening. Pastor Leon Finney of the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church has reached an agreement with Reverend Keeble to house the museum in the parsonage adjacent to the church. Both the church and the parsonage located at 41st and King Drive in the historic Bronzeville community have been designated landmarks, having hosted many notables including Marian Anderson and Mahalia Jackson. The board of directors is seeking to raise a million dollars to convert the building and hope to have it open by late fall, 2010.