Joseph T. Jones

Short Name: Joseph T. Jones
Full Name: Jones, J. T. (Joseph T.), 1902-1983
Birth Year: 1902
Death Year: 1983

Joseph T. Jones (1902-1983) was the son of Rev. A.A. and Mary M. Jones, both former slaves, who went on to being a school in McConnellsville, South Carolina. His father was pastor of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church. Joseph, “Joe,” Jones entered Johnson C. Smith University (formerly Biddle University) and became heavily involved in music. After graduation (1927), a friend recommended him for a position as a Sunday school missionary, headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. He traveled extensively in the South, organizing Sunday schools, sometimes in isolated places, and providing opportunities for religious growth to children and adults. In 1947, Jones was promoted to supervisor of Sunday school missionary work in the Southeast and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. He graduated from Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.
Jones attended all General Assemblies of the church from 1927 until his retirement in 1973, except for one when Joe and Ione’s second child was born two weeks earlier than expected. Joe Jones frequently sang and led singing on his travels. He was urged to collect the spirituals he sand and did so in Great Day: Negro Spirituals as Sung and Directed by J. T. Jones (1961). Jones died after an eight-year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

--The Presbyterian Hymnal Companion 1993


Tunes by Joseph T. Jones (4)AsInstancessort descendingIncipit
HE IS KINGJoseph T. Jones (Arranger)156123 56123 11223
GWALCHMAIJoseph D. Jones (Composer)135123 43234 21351
[Chariot rode on the mountain top]Joseph T. Jones (Arranger)256111 56553 5633
[Upon the mountain when my Lord spoke]Joseph T. Jones (Arranger)311661 65565 32123
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