Mattie Moss Clark

Dr. Mattie Moss Clark was a prominent American gospel choir director, composer, and minister of music for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). Born Mattie Juliet Moss on March 25, 1925, in Selma, Alabama, she would go on to shape the sound of gospel music for generations. She served as the international minister of music for COGIC, a role in which she influenced church music across the denomination. Clark is credited as a pioneer in the gospel mass choir movement and for teaching three-part harmony to choirs. In 1979, she founded the Mattie Moss Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit, further cementing her commitment to music education. She composed and directed numerous gospel songs, including "Climbing Up the Mountain," "Wonderful, Wonderful," and "Salvation is Free," all of which were later certified gold. She was also the mother of the renowned gospel vocal group, The Clark Sisters, and collaborated with them on recordings such as "Expect Your Miracle" and "Is My Living in Vain." Her other notable recordings include "That's Christ" with The Michigan State Community Choir and "Give Your Best to the Master." Dr. Mattie Moss Clark passed away on September 22, 1994. Her lasting contributions to gospel music were recognized with her posthumous induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1997.