3A SOUNDWALK SERIES: Come Sunday by Darrell Grant
DeNorval Unthank Park
Apr 15
Where once a house was were many houses—Anis Mojgani
Portland’s inner-northeast neighborhoods were once home to over 200 Black churches. The remaining wooden and brick buildings, ranging from tiny storefronts to imposing brick edifices, are the inspiration for Come Sunday. Created by jazz artist and composer Darrell Grant, Come Sunday is a pilgrimage in sound and time that winds through the King, Humboldt, and Alberta neighborhoods — once the heart of Oregon’s largest Black community. Beginning in DeNorval Unthank Park and culminating at Bethel A.M.E. Church, the oldest continuously operating Black church in Oregon, the soundwalk passes thirteen houses of worship that stand as islands documenting the rich history, hopes, and community ties that wove together a community. Combining oral history, African-American spirituals, poetry, historical texts, jazz piano, new music, and the sounds of the neighborhood, Come Sunday paints an aural portrait of community inspired by the singular institution at its heart — leading the fight for justice, serving the vulnerable, holding the community in good times and bad — the Black church.
Speak to the Home that was—Anis Mojgani
Quick Facts
The walk starts in DeNorval Unthank Park at NE Failing Street. Just south of the restroom structure, beside the line of elm trees, there is a plaque commemorating Dr. DeNorval Unthank.
The route is divided into two parts. Part One is 2 miles long and takes approximately 40 minutes. Part Two is 1.2 miles long and takes approximately 25 minutes.
The walk is set to a leisurely pace. As you come in view of each house of worship, you will hear a chime sound. Once you reach the church you can pause for a few seconds to reflect on the space. 10 to 15 seconds later you will hear a soft wooden tone to indicate the resumption of the route. If you have not yet reached a particular church, you can pause the track at the tone to allow yourself time to catch up.
Please note: the walk does not end in the same place it begins. The simplest return route is down MLK Blvd to Failing St.
The audio file is available two ways April 15:
High-quality (WAV) and standard-quality (mp3) downloads through Google Drive, OR
Streamed directly from this webpage.
Print the route maps below (recommended) or reference them from this webpage.
Download Come Sunday here:
Note: WAV file may take longer to download due to its size
Sites and Approximate Track Times
1. Denorval Unthank Park (1:46)
2. First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (9:50)
3. Overstreet Powerhouse Temple Church of God in Christ (13:32)
4. Berean Baptist Church (17:21)
5. Saint James Pentecostal Church (20:10)
6. Community Church of God (26:13)
7. Grace City Portland, formerly Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church (29:10)
8. Full Gospel Temple of Prayer (31:50)
9. Allen Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (35:30)
10. Maranatha Church (40:16)
11. Roselawn Park (48:46)
12. Daniels Memorial Church of God in Christ (51:57)
13. Church Of The Living God Pillar and Ground of the Truth Temple #2 (55:18)
14. Power House Church (1:02:44)
15. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (1:04:32)
Artist Statement
I am deeply indebted to many individuals who generously lent their voices to this aural portrait. The artists whose musical contributions enrich and sustain our city and region, and the culture-bearers who steward our stories and history are vital to preserving the legacy of Portland’s Black community in the present and passing it forward to future generations.
In memory of
Reverend Dr. T. Allen Bethel
Reverend Dr. John W. Garlington Jr.
Reverend Rozell Gilmore
Pastor Mary Overstreet-Smith
Reverend W. G. Hardy Jr.
Bishop Adolph A. Wells
Reverend O.B. Williams
Come Sunday is dedicated to the many exceptional individuals who have shepherded Portland’s Black communities of faith over the years, and whose committed service embodies the possibility of a brighter future.
CREDITS
Conceived and created by Darrell Grant
Commissioned by Third Angle New Music
Oral Histories
Rhonda Chiles
Pastor Roy Clay
Rosetta Forbes
Anna Forbes
Bobby Fouther
Liz Fouther-Branch
Eldon T. Jones
T. James Mullen
Shei’Meka Owens
Mariah Taylor
Spirituals & Gospel Song
Wade in the Water - Eldon T Jones
Go Down Moses - DeReau Farrar
One Day at a Time - Carol Grant
Every Time I Feel the Spirit - Damien Geter
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child - Arietta Ward
His Eye is on the Sparrow - Marcia Hocker
Steal Away - Marilyn Keller
Were You There (When they Crucified my Lord) - Jimmie Herrod
Just a Closer Walk with Thee - Justin Copeland
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - Alonzo Chadwick
Precious Lord - LaRhonda Steele
Deep River - Leroy Bynam
Featured Music
‘Before we Begin” - A Land Acknowledgement
Text & Music - Darrell Grant
“Articles of Faith Pt. 1: What We Want Now!”
Text: The Black Panther 10 Point Program
Spoken word - Darrell Grant
Drums & Production-Machado Mijiga
“A Delicate Forgotten Memory”
Poem by S. Renee Mitchell
Spoken word- S. Renee Mitchell
Music- Darrell Grant
“Articles of Faith Pt. 2: What We Believe”
Text: The Black Panther 10 Point Program
Composed, arranged and performed by Darrell Grant
Vocal - Tiffany Austin
Drums and musical production - Machado Mijiga
“The Home that Was”
Poem: “The Home that Was” by Anis Mojgani
Music composed, arranged and performed by Darrell Grant
Vocal -Tiffany Austin
Musical production - Machado Mijiga
Additional piano composed & performed by Darrell Grant
Mixed by Branic Howard
Thanks to Reverend Terry McCray Hill of Bethel AME Church for musical inspiration
Special Thanks to S. Renee Mitchell and Anis Mojgani for contributing their poetry to the project
#speaktothehomethatwas
