C. L. Dorris

Early 20th Century

Religious Music His Hobby -- Moberly Minister Is Writer Of More Than 800 Hymns --
Rev. C. L. Dorris, pastor of the New Hope, Clark and Itenick Methodist Churches. The Rev. Mr. Dorris, who has made his home in Moborly since May of last year, has written more than 800 songs. They have been published by the nation's leading publishers of religious music. For most of the hymns, he wrote only the lyrics -- or song poems, as he calls them. For some he wrote only the music and for others both the words and the melody.

One of the Rev. Mr. Dorris' collaborators is his wife, who hss composed music for his lyrics and has published on her own. "Music is definitely a hobby with me," Mr. Dorris said. He gets very little money from his work and is inspired by his interest in music. One of the most recent songs he has written is entitled, "God of Glory." It was entered in the Missouri Federation of Music contest and tied with a composition by woman from Kansas City for third place. Both the words and the melody were written by the Rev. Mr. Dorris.

The Rev. Mr. Dorris's profession began in 1915. His first sale was a hymn entitled "God Rules," when he was 35 years old. Though a native Tennessean, he has a lengthy Missouri history too. He is a graduate of Central College. After that, he served for four years at Carrollton, four years at Brunswick, seven years at Palmyra, four years in North Kansas City, two years in Centralia and four years in Glasgow before coming to Moberly last year. During his 53 years of preaching, he has missed being in the pulpit on very few Sundays, he has also done evangelistic work. His connection with the music publishing world is mainly through communications with seven publishing houses. They often send him the music for a religious piece for which he writes the lyrics. Sometimes, individuals, send their compositions and request the pastor's collaboration. He has received ideas from every region of the United Stales. He chose Moberly as home. The Rev. and Mrs. Dorris chose to come to Moberly because it was centrally located and the transportation facilities were good. Since his retirement, he has served as pastor of the three Randolph County churches. Mr. and Mrs. Dorris are the parents of two daughters. Mr. Dorris thinks his hymn, "Somewhere," is the most popular. It has been presented three times on the nationally broadcast program, "Hymns of All Churches."

The Rev. Mr. Dorris' one excursion into the writing of secular music led to perhaps his oddest Introduction. He wrote a set of lyrics called "When the Roses Bloom, My Darling," at the request of the composer of the music.

Excerpts from Moberly Monitor-Index 12 April 1962