Actor

Prayer Vigil Held at Detroit Church for Aretha Franklin

Ten ministers and deacons from several Detroit churches spoke, prayed and sang, according to a report

People were praying for Aretha Franklin Wednesday in the Detroit church where her father was once a pastor.

The special vigil at New Bethel Baptist Church began before dawn Wednesday. More than 75 people gathered in her honor, the Detroit Free Press reported.

According to the Free Press, 10 ministers and deacons from several Detroit churches spoke, prayed and sang. Calvin Hughes, who the church leader introduced as "the only man to play the organ for both the pope and the Queen of Soul," played the organ and the Rev. Ryan Johnson of the Greater Burnette Baptist Church led the first sermon.

The prayers came one day after Stevie Wonder visited the ailing Queen of Soul at her home. Franklin's ex-husband, actor Glynn Turman, also visited Franklin, who is seriously ill.

A person close to Franklin, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not allowed to publicly talk about the topic, told The Associated Press on Monday that the singer is ill. No more details were provided.

The 76-year-old canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us