Salvation Army, Father of Gospel Music, Catholic Reformer Burned

Christianity is a faith with a long and detailed history, with numerous events of lasting significance occurring throughout the ages.

Each week brings the anniversaries of great milestones, horrid tragedies, amazing triumphs, telling tribulations, inspirational progress, and everything in between.

Here are just a few things that happened this week, July 1-7, in Church history. They include the birth of an influential Gospel music writer, the founding of the Salvation Army, and the burning of Jan Hus.

Charles Albert Tindley Born – July 7, 1851

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This week marks the anniversary of the birth of Charles Albert Tindley, a minister who composed many popular Gospel music hymns.

A native of Berlin, Maryland whose father was a slave, Tindley became pastor of East Bainbridge Street Church and helped to grow the church considerably.

The mind behind songs like “Stand by Me,” “Nothing Between,” and “Beams of Heaven,” in 1982 the Smithsonian presented a combination musical tribute and colloquium on his work.

“Tindley’s compositions influenced Thomas A. Dorsey and Roberta Martin, and formed the…