09/09/2026
September is Gospel Heritage Music Month. Thanks for sharing Zion Hill Baptist Church, College Park GA!
Featured this month on âPastors Rowâ is Rev. W. H. Brewster. William Herbert Brewster was born on July 2, 1897, in Somerville, TN. He graduated from Nashvilleâs Roger Williams College in 1922. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Memphis. Brewster served as pastor of East Trigg Avenue Baptist Church from 1930 until his death on October 14, 1987.
A man of many talents, Brewster is best known for writing more than 200 gospel songs. Mahalia Jackson recorded âMove On Up a Little Higherâ on September 12, 1947, which became gospel musicâs first million-selling record, eventually selling more than 8 million copies. Sam Cooke & the Soul Stirrers also recorded his music.
In Memphis, Brewsterâs influence was substantial, reaching thousands of Memphians through radio stations WHBQ and WDIA. Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips of WHBQ would often interview Rev. Brewster. Brewsterâs sermons were broadcast on the air, and both radio stations played his songs.
Regular listeners to these radio programs included a young and impressionable Elvis Presley. Elvis heard Rev. Brewster invite âblack and whiteâ people to church services at East Trigg Avenue Baptist Church. In an era of segregation, Elvis and other whites would attend at the bidding of Rev. Brewster. The walls of segregation began to crumble a bit.
âMove On Up a Little Higherâ became an anthem of sorts for the Civil Rights Movement and inspired many to keep on pushing.
Rev. William Herbert Brewster said:
âI wrote these songs for the common people who could not understand political language, common people who didnât know anything about economics⌠I was trying to inspire black people to move up higher, donât be satisfied with the mediocre. That was 1946, before the freedom fights started, before Martin Luther King days. I had to lead a lot of protest meetings. In order to get my message over, there were things that were almost dangerous to say, but you could sing it.â
Rev. Brewsterâs legacy continues to inspire our Pastor, Dr. Carlos Patrick. Both Rev. Brewster and Pastor Patrick were born in Somerville, Tennessee, and both share a passion for ministry and music as pastors and songwriters. Their shared connection reminds us of the powerful impact that faith, music, and ministry can have on generations.
Zion Hill Baptist Church proudly honors Rev. William Herbert Brewster in this monthâs âPastors Row.â
