Souls on Fire: Gospel Traditions and Community Organizing in Pulaski, VA

The Calfee Center is launching Souls on Fire: Gospel Traditions and Community Organizing in Pulaski, an initiative dedicated to documenting, preserving, and sharing the rich traditions of Black Appalachian gospel music, churches, and activism in Pulaski County. Housed within the African American Heritage Center, Souls on Fire builds on Calfee’s ongoing oral history and preservation work while deepening its focus on the powerful connections between faith, culture, and community leadership. This project is supported by funding from the Mellon Foundation.

Over the next two years, this work will:

  • Document historic Black gospel traditions by collecting materials related to gospel groups, choirs, church services, and musical performances across Appalachian Virginia 

  • Collect oral histories from singers, musicians, church leaders, and community members connected to these traditions

  • Partner with local African American churches, where gospel music has long served as a foundation for worship, teaching, and community connection 

  • Preserve archival materials, including recordings, programs, songbooks, photographs, sermons, and church records that reflect the lived experience of Black gospel music

  • Highlight the connection between gospel music and activism, including its role in civil rights efforts and local organizing, particularly through relationships with the former Pulaski NAACP chapter 

  • Develop a digital exhibit—Souls on Fire, making these collections accessible online through digitization and storytelling 

This work will culminate in a regional Black gospel music celebration, bringing together local and traveling gospel groups to honor this living tradition while continuing to collect stories and materials from the community. 

Ultimately, this project positions Black gospel music not only as a musical tradition, but as a central force in shaping faith, resilience, and community life in Black Appalachian communities. By preserving these histories now, the Calfee Center is ensuring that future generations can access, understand, and carry forward this legacy.

Community Call: Help Us Preserve Black Gospel History

We invite community members to be part of this effort.

We are currently collecting materials related to:

  • Black gospel groups, choirs, and musicians (past and present)

  • Church services, choir anniversaries, and gospel programs

  • Recordings, songbooks, and musical traditions

  • Photographs, flyers, and event materials connected to gospel performances

  • Personal stories about the role of gospel music in your life or community

  • Connections between churches, gospel music, and local organizing or NAACP activity

If you have materials or stories you would like to share—or need assistance preserving them—please complete the form at the link below.

Community Contribution Form