It’s been said there are no doors in Heaven marked “Baptist,” “Methodist,” “A.M.E” or any other denomination, and neither should the choir that is currently being organized by one Perry Store community choral leader.

Sherry Fillingim, a member of the New Chapel Baptist Church, is looking for new voices to fill an interdenominational choir.

The only requirement needed to join – a love of singing.

“I’ve been singing most of my life,” Fillingim said. “I was raised in a Holiness church and have only recently found my way here. To me, there’s no greater expression than praising Him in song.”

She said several months ago, she became more aware of the traditional Baptist hymns and thought it would be a good idea to expand the church’s musical repertoire. She then went one step further.

“There’s a lot of good music in the Baptist hymnal,” she said. “But I love all types of music from the old hymns to the new music. I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great for all denominations to sing not only out of a book but to also bring their favorite songs.’”

To test her theory, Fillingim said she began approaching people inside retail stores to get their opinion.

“I started stopping people in Wal-Mart to see if they would be interested (in joining) if someone was to organize it,” she said.

So, now all is needed are the voices.

Fillingim said while her church doesn’t have an actual choir, per se, many of the church’s members have pledged their participation.

“This is going to be all about worshiping God,” she said. “And I think it should be for everyone one – not just one certain group, and for the young and old alike and for those who maybe don’t have a church home and just love to sing.

“This is the place for them,” she said.

Currently, plans are under way to establish a permanent meeting schedule; however, as of now, the group meets each Wednesday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.

“If you feel like you have a song in your heart and you want to share it, we invite you to join us,” she said.

New Chapel Baptist Church is located on Hwy. 189 in the Perry Store Community next to the Rhoades Community Center.

For more information, contact Fillingim at 334-447-9892 or 334-897-1297 or by e-mail at jfillingim@centurytel.net.