Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ

01 / The story of this place

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Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ has long been one of Detroit's most musically important Pentecostal congregations, thanks to its ties to the gospel-singing Clark family. Karen Clark Sheard, one of the famous Clark Sisters and a Grammy-winning gospel singer, became First Lady of the church when her husband, Bishop J. Drew Sheard, took over as senior pastor, and she recorded much of her acclaimed 2006 solo album "It's Not Over" right here in the sanctuary. Their daughter, singer and actress Kierra Sheard, grew up inside these walls too, joining the church choir at just five years old and later launching her own gospel and R&B career while still singing with the congregation. The church's mass choir has also recorded live albums from its Schaefer Highway sanctuary, carrying on Detroit's deep gospel-music tradition. Greater Emmanuel remains an active congregation on Detroit's northwest side today.

1. Home church of Karen Clark Sheard of the Clark Sisters
2. Karen recorded much of "It's Not Over" (2006) here
3. Kierra Sheard joined the choir here at age five
4. Led by Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Karen's husband