Gospel music legend Bishop Rance Allen dies at 71

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Gospel music legend Bishop Rance Allen dies at 71

The ‘Father of Contemporary Gospel Music’ has died at the age of 71.

Bishop Rance Allen was “recovering from a medical procedure at Heartland ProMedica [in Sylvania, OH],” when he passed away at 3 a.m. Saturday, October 31, according to his wife Ellen and his manager Toby Jackson in a joint statement.

“I wasn’t expecting to hear this news this morning,” said Tyscot Records President, Bryant Scott in the statement. “This is a great loss to us personally but also to the church community at large.”

Allen was ordained through the Church of God in Christ. A statement from the denomination says that Allen served as the Prelate of the Michigan Northwest Harvest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

“Bishop Allen’s unique vocal ministry was an indispensable sound with the Church of God in Christ and Christendom,” Bishop Robert Rudolph Jr., says in a statement. “His gift transcended the boundaries of musical genre as he remained a sought after personality called to perform on global venues.”

Allen’s family will be holding a private memorial due to COVID restrictions. “When the restrictions are lifted, a date will be set for a Jurisdictional Memorial Service that will appropriately recognize the godly life and notable achievements of Bishop Rance Allen,” Rudolph says.

Rudolph asks for prayer for Allen’s family “as well as acts of emotional and spiritual support.”