The Old Rugged Cross Hymn History
The story behind the old rugged cross.
The old rugged cross hymn history. The old rugged cross is a popular hymn written in 1912 by evangelist and song leader george bennard. Mieras from chicago to sturgeon bay wisconsin where they held evangelistic meetings at the friends church from december 29 1912. 2 timothy 4 8 date. George s coal miner father died when george.
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. The old rugged cross by george bennard the united methodist hymnal no. The old rugged cross is one of the most popular christian hymns in the english world.
It is a hymn that leads us to focus on what christ did on the cross and make his sacrifice our own. 12 8 12 8 with refrain scripture. Hymn story the old rugged cross hymn lists by book of bible george bennard 1873 1958 was born in youngstown ohio but his family moved to iowa where he accepted christ as his savior at a revival meeting sponsored by the salvation army. The hymn quickly spread throughout the region and came to the attention of the evangelist billy sunday who frequently utilized it in his meetings.
So i ll cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last i lay down. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross en el monte calvario se vio una cruz tune title. The old rugged cross during the early years of his ministry rev. 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.
Old rugged cross author. I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown george bennard lived his retirement years in reed city michigan and passed away there in 1958. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross the emblem of suffering and shame. The old rugged cross en el monte calvario first line.
His mind went back again and again to christ s anguish on the cross. Back in 1913 george bennard was struggling with a problem that caused him much suffering. Today that same church building originally a hops barn is owned by the non profit old rugged cross foundation and welcomes thousands of visitors annually. The old rugged cross hymn history and lyrics october 03 2019 the old rugged cross hymn history.