Mahalia Jackson may be known as the Queen of Gospel, but Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973) is arguably the original gospel superstar and first crossover success. With her classic soprano voice and plucky guitar skills, Tharpe toured with some of the biggest names in jazz and inspired some of the biggest stars in multiple genres.

Tharpe did some of her best work as a member of the Bright Hope Baptist Church after she moved to North-Central Philadelphia in 1957, including a Grammy nomination for her album Precious Memories in 1968. She was one of the original residents of the historic Yorktown neighborhood, which was the first post-World War II redevelopment project awarded by the city’s Redevelopment Authority to a private developer and was a first-of-its-kind enclave for middle-class African-American home owners.

Next week, Tharpe will be honored in her old neighborhood with a state historical marker. It is no small coincidence that the honor comes at a time when Yorktown is embarking on another age of redevelopment led by community and regional groups.

The dedication of Tharpe’s marker is slated for Monday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. at the site of her former home at 1102 Master St. Later in the evening a recently released documentary, The Godmother of Rock & Roll: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, will be shown at the Central Philadelphia Library (1901 Vine St.) auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The events are being sponsored by nonprofit music mentoring organization Girls Rock Philly and The Friends of Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

Tharpe was the first gospel singer to record for a major label (Decca)and her collaboration with Marie Knight was one of gospel’s biggest acts. When she and her husband Russell Morrison moved to Philadelphia, Tharpe joined a lively local gospel scene. She also joined a trailblazing community.

The innovative planning principles that inspired Yorktown as a beacon of mid-20th century urban renewal are noted in the recently released 2011 Yorktown Survey, initiated by the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia in order to prepare Yorktown for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places and supported by the Yorktown Community
Organization and Yorktown Community Development Corporation.

Yorktown, born on a formerly underdeveloped 153-acre lot between Girard and Cecil B. Moore Ave., was significant for introducing low-density, single-family and suburban-style housing. It is still largely defined by its courtyards of open space. One of its largest, Patrick Henry Courtyard, was recently beautified thanks to a grant awarded to the Yorktown CDC by the Preservation Alliance as part of the Vital Neighborhoods Initiative. University City-based developer Synterra did pro bono work on the project, helping transform a huge expanse of concrete into an inviting oasis by removing crumbling brick walls and buckling concrete and installing planters, a rain garden and benches -- nothing fancy, just enough to send a message.

“When something has the appearance of neglect or disregard people will behave accordingly,” says Amy McCollum, the interim project director of the Vital Neighborhoods program at the Preservation Alliance. “If there’s an active presence, people are more invested in what happens there."

A resident-led planting day on Saturday put some finishing touches on the courtyard. Also, more plantings along the edge of the courtyard are coming next spring as part of the Philadelphia Water Department’s Green Streets initiative.

The Yorktown survey includes an inventory of the neighborhood’s 552 residences, was completed by Preservation Design Partnership and was funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. McCollum says numerous public meetings were held to inform the recent courtyard improvements, and the active citizenry has helped set forth a new era of urban renewal.

“The area is significant for a lot of reasons and it has seen a lot of changes through the years,” she says.

JOE PETRUCCI is managing editor of Flying Kite. Send feedback here.

PHOTOS:

Residents and organizers discuss planned improvements at Patrick Henry Courtyard in Yorktown

Sister Rosetta Tharpe, courtesy of the Frank Driggs Collection

Tharpe at the Newport Folk Festival, 1967: Diana Davies, Smithsonian Archives

Tharpe, courtesy of the Frank Driggs Collection

Rosetta jamming with (from left) Hot Lips Page, Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, at Burris Jenkins studio NYC, August 1939