The Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church Stroller Singers have shared their incredible gospel talents at multiple HEARTS happenings.

The Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church was founded after the Civil War by freed African Americans under the leadership of Rev. Ephrim Torrence.

“It started with an arbor area in Smithville,” said Ron Potts, of the church whose original members were mostly farmers, sharecroppers and domestic workers. “In 1869, the first wooden structure was built on property given to us by white friends. The Glaspies gave us the property, and we’ve been there ever since.”

One thing that has been prevalent for much of the church’s history is music. The first choir started in 1885 under the leadership of Monroe Johnson, Potts said. Singers had handwritten sheet music that had marks and notes on them. People were taught the tunes, and the songs were passed down. The Stroller Singers, started in 1945 as a men-only group, was the church’s first gospel choir.