Where It All Started

From East St. Louis, Illinois and Orrville, Ohio to Saint Paul, Minnesota

The Reverend Carl Walker and First Lady Linda Walker were married for 55 years and out of this union had five boys. Reverend Walker was instrumental in bringing gospel music to the Twin Cities in the late 1950s from East St. Louis, Illinois. He also co-founded Walker West Music Academy with Grant West and founded along with his wife Linda Walker, Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church both located in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Walker West Music Academy creates a music learning community rooted in the African-American cultural experience, where people of all ages and backgrounds can gather, explore, and grow through music. Walker West provides exceptional, affordable music education and enrichment rooted in the African-American cultural experience. Reverend Walker taught piano to hundreds of people, including members of Mint Condition.

First Lady Linda Walker was called home on June 6, 2015 and is greatly missed. She was the glue that kept the Walker family together, was the sounding board for not only her family but countless friends and church members who she counseled. May she continue to Rest in Peace.

Reverend Walker is a living legend within his community and recently retired from Ministering at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church and we look forward to celebrating all of his accomplishments later this year. The baton has been passed on to his third son, Terrence Walker, and his wife, Kim Walker as the new Pastors of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.