Did anyone follow up the URL given in the first message? Here is a description of The Park New Choir, which I translated from their website:

Since 1948, there has been a choral society of Negro spirituals at the Lycée du Parc [Park College] in Lyon [France]. Created by Louis T. Achille [an African-American], then English professor in this establishment, it was first called English Chorale, then Park Glee Club, and finally Park New Choir.

Its raison d'être? Many people of Lyon want to sing Negro spirituals, not only because this music is beautiful, but also to perpetuate in our time the traditions of the Blacks who were exploited for more than two centuries. For us [spirituals are] a call to vigilance against all forms of segregation and control of men. While the religious message of these songs brings an additional dimension, Park New Choir is a nondenominational choral society, in which everyone is free to find in Negro spirituals the meaning that is appropriate to him.

Each week, the choral society rehearses on the campus of the College, according to rules that make it possible for all to take part in our music: we do not use partitions [I don't know what this means], no audition is required, and participation in the rehearsals and the concerts is open to everyone.

I am repeatedly amazed by how much cross-cultural spread of traditions occurs in the world, something I would not have been aware of without the Internet. I expect this kind of thing in the US, being a nation of immigrants and all, but in France? The website doesn't say, but I wonder if Mr. Achille first visited France as a soldier in WW2?

I searched the Forum for "Park New Choir" and found that WYSIWYG is the only person who has mentioned them, but she has mentioned them many times, often crediting them as a source for lyrics. They do have an excellent website (in French, but the lyrics are in English). Thanks, Susan, for bringing them to my attention.