Who Wrote The Old Rugged Cross

This was the heart of the gospel.

Who wrote the old rugged cross. The old rugged cross became so well known that it was consistently ranked the number one favorite hymn for several decades. Mieras from chicago to sturgeon bay wisconsin where they held evangelistic meetings at the friends church from december 29 1912. In the old rugged cross stain d with blood so divine a wondrous beauty i see for the dear lamb of god left his glory above to pardon and sanctify me so i ll cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last i lay down i will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown to the old rugged cross i will ever be true. Lyrics to the old rugged cross on a hill far away stood an old rugged cross the emblem of suff ring and shame and i love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.

As a methodist evangelist george bennard wrote the first verse of the old rugged cross in albion michigan in the fall of 1912 as a response to ridicule that he had received at a revival meeting bennard traveled with ed e. He wrote a letter dated june 2 in which he again declared that the old rugged cross had indeed had its beginnings in albion i e. The story behind the old rugged cross. Brother bennard wrote the hymn the old rugged cross.

George bennard was praying for a full understanding of the cross and its plan in christianity consequently he spent many hours in study prayer and meditation until he could say i saw the christ of the cross as if i were seeing john 3 16 leave the printed page take. First verse and chorus although he finished the rest of it up elsewhere during his travels. This photo was taken in downey california in about 1953. Bennard wrote many other songs but this was the only one that became well known.

George bennard was a native of youngstown ohio but was reared in iowa after his conversion in a salvation army meeting he and his wife became brigade leaders before leaving the organization for the methodist church. Video of the hymn is sung by the salem singers of oregon. So i ll cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last i lay down i will cling to the old rugged cross and. You are welcome to copy the photo which we own.

There is some disagreement in different congregations about the exact rhythm of the opening line because the natural rhythm of. The old rugged cross is a popular hymn written in 1912 by evangelist and song leader george bennard. The old rugged cross during the early years of his ministry rev. Gabriel helped him complete the manuscript.

It is a gospel hymn tune with a refrain during which the lower voices echo the melody. Back in 1913 george bennard was struggling with a problem that caused him much suffering. The original letter is now in the local history room at the albion public library. His mind went back again and again to christ s anguish on the cross.