The Junaluska Story

Junaluska Gospel Choir

The Junaluska Choir was originally known as the Boone Mennonite Brethren Church Choir when it was established in 1918 by Mennonite Brethren missionaries. They sang every Sunday at the Mennonite Brethren Church, a historically Black church that served as a spiritual and cultural home for the Junaluska community.¹ Much has changed at the church since its founding, however, the gospel choir’s talent and passion for singing has remained. They continue to strengthen their community ties and spiritual connections.²

From a young age, children growing up in Junaluska built their community through song. Jonita Lynn Clayborn recalled how she and her friends would congregate at North Street Park to sing, enjoying harmonizing and being in each other’s company. Clayborn and her friends traveled to various Mennonite churches to sing, often representing Boone’s Mennonite church. She has remained a member of the Junaluska Choir since and is pleased with the direction it has taken over the years. In her early years at church, Clayborn shared how the choir was more reserved and traditional, which was common for the time. There was no clapping or singing from those in the pews, and the choir sang quietly, accompanied by only a piano. In contrast, today’s members shout praise and dance in the aisles while singing energetic and spirited tunes, accompanied by drums and guitars. The choir’s repertoire transitioned from traditional hymns to popular gospel songs by artists like Lionel Richie and Andrae Crouch. While the choir has changed with the times, the heart and soul of the group still thrives.³

Today, the Junaluska Choir sings every Sunday at 11 am. Along with their traditional church service, the choir performs with the local band Soul Benefactor.⁴ They also perform annually at the Jones House, usually around Christmas, as well as other local events. The choir has even performed at the Boonerang music and arts festival in 2022 and at Merlefest.⁵ The choir released their debut CD, “Rough Side of the Mountain” in 2014, increasing their reach.⁶ During the COVID-19 pandemic, the choir created a playlist of songs. Due to quarantine restrictions, each voice and instrument was recorded separately and then blended together.⁷ The choir also lifted community spirits with music after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina. Throughout the choir’s long history, it has inspired joy in the community and given back to the Appalachian region.

The Junaluska Gospel Choir in 1979

Cecil Jackson. Boone Mennonite Brethren Church Choir, Circa 1979. 1979. Photograph. Digital Watauga. https://digitalwatauga.org/items/show/21008.

The Junaluska Gospel Choir in 2015

Lonnie Webster. Junaluska Gospel Choir. Junaluska Heritage Association, 2015. https://junaluskaheritage.org/document/33.

Bibliography

Fesler, Madison V. “The Junaluska Gospel Choir Holds Debut CD Release party at the Boone Mennonite Brethren Church March 2.” High Country Press. February 21, 2014. https://www.hcpress.com/front-page/junaluska-gospel-choir-holds-cd-release-party-at-the-boone-mennonite-brethren-church-march-2.html.

“History of the Boone Mennonite Brethren Church.” Boone Mennonite Brethren Church. https://boonembchurch.com/our-history/.

“Junaluska Gospel Choir.” Boone Mennonite Brethren Church. https://boonembchurch.com/choir/.

Keefe, Susan, ed.. Junaluska: Oral Histories of a Black Appalachian Community. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2020.

“Soul Benefactor.” https://soulbenefactor.com/.

Thomas, Audrey. “A Little More Swinging and Upbeat: The Music Traditions of the Boone Mennonite Brethren Church.” App State Honors College. Appalachian State University. May 2015. https://honors.appstate.edu/little-more-swinging-and-upbeat-music-traditions-boone-mennonite-bretheren-church.