Charles Henry Pace was born in Atlanta on August 4, 1886, and died in Pittsburgh on December 16, 1963.  In 1925 he formed the Pace Jubilee Singers (photo above), an early conservative gospel group which recorded songs by Pace, Tindley, and others for Victor and Brunswick.  Pace moved to Pittsburgh in 1936 and shortly afterwards organized the Pace Gospel choral Union, a 25-member ensemble that was enlarged to as many as 300 singers for special celebrations;  its repertory consisted of gospel songs and spirituals.  Pace also founded two highly successful music publishing houses in Pittsburgh - the Old Ship of Zion Music Company (1936-51) and Charles H. Pace Music Publishers (1952-63) - from which he published most of his 104 sacred compositions and arrangements and 26 secular songs.  Pace's gospel songs, the best known of which are "Bread of Heaven," "Hide My Soul," and "Nobody but you, Lord," are in the style of Tindley's songs, with a verse-chorus structure, memorable melodies, and simple, effective harmonies.

The Center for American Music purchased the Pace Gospel Collection at auction  in 1999.  The collection consists of the original printing plates from Old Ship of Zion Music Company, page proofs, and copies of sheet music.  A copy of the inventory for this collection is available upon request.