Our Christian Heritage

Bridgeport, Connecticut: Fanny Crosby

Our Christian Heritage goes “On Location” with the Hymn History of Fanny Crosby who penned “Safe In The Arms Of Jesus” and I Shall Know Him”.

Transcript:

We’re here in Bridgeport, Connecticut, at the P.T. Barnum Museum and Institute of Science and History. While Barnum is the city’s most famous showman, he’s not the only notable resident. Just a block away is the Bridgeport Public Library, which houses a wealth of materials on one of Barnum’s friends: the renowned blind hymnwriter Fanny Crosby.

Fanny Crosby (1820–1915) authored more than 3,000 hymns and poems—some estimates reach 8,000—making her one of the most prolific gospel songwriters in history. Inside the library, you’ll find newspaper clippings, books, hymnals, biographies, autobiographies, and even an autographed copy of one of her works. Remarkably, though blind from infancy (due to a medical mishap), Fanny learned to write by hand so she could sign her books personally.

We have much more to share about her life and legacy, but let’s start by visiting the home where she spent her final years—just about a mile from here in Bridgeport.

In 1900, Fanny moved from New York City to Bridgeport. By 1906, now a widow, she moved in with her sister Carrie and niece Julia at 226 Wells Street. She lived there quietly until her death. Early on the morning of February 12, 1915, at age 94, Fanny passed away peacefully. Her doctor listed the cause as arteriosclerosis, with a secondary cerebral hemorrhage.

Her funeral was held at the First Methodist Episcopal Church (now Golden Hill Methodist Church) on Elm Street in Bridgeport. The pastor, Reverend George M. Brown, delivered the eulogy, speaking to a congregation very familiar with their beloved parishioner. The service featured hymns of special significance: “Faith of Our Fathers, Living Still” (one of Fanny’s favorites), and two she wrote—”Someday the Silver Cord Will Break” and “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.”

“Safe in the Arms of Jesus” held deep personal meaning for Fanny. Many scholars believe it was composed during one of her life’s lowest points—after the death of her only child, a daughter who lived only a few weeks or months in 1858. Fanny rarely spoke of the loss, but the hymn reflects profound trust in Christ’s comfort amid sorrow. At the service’s close, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution distributed flowers to attendees. Fanny was a direct descendant of Mayflower passengers (including Elder William Brewster) and a deeply patriotic American who counted every U.S. president from John Quincy Adams to Woodrow Wilson among her friends.

From the church, her body was taken in procession to Mountain Grove Cemetery, where she was laid to rest.

Mountain Grove Cemetery was founded by P.T. Barnum himself in 1878, and his grand monument stands prominently here (you can see it behind the trees). Nearby is the life-sized statue marking the grave of General Tom Thumb (Charles Stratton), Barnum’s famous little performer. Across the path lies Fanny Crosby’s resting place.

Her original marker is simple: “Aunt Fanny – She hath done what she could” (echoing Mark 14:8). It’s a fitting, humble tribute to a phenomenal woman. But 40 years after her death, in the 1950s, her community felt a more fitting memorial was needed. They erected this monument in grateful and loving memory: “Fanny Crosby, who inspired and edified Christians all over the world by the writing of more than 3,000 hymns and poems. Born in Southeast, New York, March 24, 1820. Married March 5, 1855 to Alexander Van Alstyne. Died in Bridgeport, Connecticut, February 12, 1915.”

The monument also features the opening lines of her most famous hymn, “Blessed Assurance.” But perhaps another of her songs feels even more appropriate here: “My Savior First of All” (also known as “I Shall Know Him”).

Fanny once shared with friends in New York how she imagined meeting Jesus in heaven, despite never having seen Him on earth: “I’ll be looking for His smile.” When they replied that everyone in heaven would be smiling, she said, “Then I’ll ask to see His hands.” She explained she would know her Redeemer by the print of the nails in His hands. This inspired the hymn:

“When my lifework is ended, and I cross the swelling tide, When the bright and glorious morning I shall see; I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side, And His smile will be the first to welcome me.

Chorus: I shall know Him, I shall know Him, And redeemed by His side I shall stand; I shall know Him, I shall know Him, By the print of the nails in His hand.”

The Writing of the Old Rugged Cross

The Old Rugged Cross is one of the most beloved – and most claimed hymns! Our Christian Heritage has been to the Old Rugged Cross church on Pokagon, MI where it was first performed in its entirety and we’ve interviewed the couple that restored the church. We’ve also been to Sturgeon Bay, WI where the Friends Church is that it was first partially performed. But on this stop we’re at the site where it was written – in an apartment of a professor of Albion College that became a fraternity house before it was demolished in the 60s. This marker was recently restored after the previous was destroyed in a car crash in 2020.

Transcript:

We’re here in Albion, Michigan, at the site of the birthplace of one of the most beloved hymns in Christian history: “The Old Rugged Cross.”

There are actually several historical markers related to the hymn in the area. This spot marks where it was written. In December 1912 (and into 1913), George Bennard lived right behind me in what is now a vacant lot. At the time, he was staying in a rented apartment in the home of Professor Delos Fall at 1101 East Michigan Avenue, near Albion College.

Later, that same house became the chapter house for Delta Tau Delta, the first fraternity established at Albion College. In 1959, during the college’s 125th anniversary, a historical marker was placed here honoring the composition of the hymn—one of the most famous in church history and the standout among the more than 300 hymns George Bennard wrote.

Sadly, in 2020, a car accident destroyed the original monument. But as you can see, it’s been beautifully rebuilt—and many say it looks better than ever.

The marker reads in part: “The Old Rugged Cross,” one of the world’s best-loved hymns, was composed here in 1912 by the Rev. George Bennard (1873–1958). The son of an Ohio coal miner, Bennard was a lifelong servant of God, chiefly in the Methodist ministry. He wrote over 300 hymns, but none achieved the fame of “The Old Rugged Cross.”

What’s especially moving are the powerful words etched on these markers: “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 someday for a crown.”

While the hymn was composed here in Albion, it had key early performances elsewhere. Parts of it were first performed in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, during evangelistic meetings at the Friends Church (from late December 1912 to January 1913). We’ve visited that site as well. The completed version was then sung in its entirety on June 7, 1913, at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Pokagon, Michigan (near Niles). We had an incredible interview with the family and volunteers who restored and recreated that historic church to its original condition—it’s now part of The Old Rugged Cross Historic Site.

Even though Bennard lived here during the hymn’s composition, there’s a fourth significant site connected to its legacy: the Old Rugged Cross Museum (also known as part of the Old Rugged Cross Historical Society), located about a couple of hours north in Reed City, Michigan, where the Bennards lived later in life. (Note: There’s also a related historic site and museum in Pokagon focused on the church and first full performance.)

If you’re interested in church history and hymns like this one, mark these places on your map. Check them out at christianheritage.info—search for “The Old Rugged Cross” to find more details on these inspiring locations.

Robert Lowry, Pastor & Hymnwriter

He wrote Shall We Gather at the River, What Can Wash Away My Sin?, Low in the Grave He Lay, Jesus My Savior; as well as the chorus to I Need Thee, O I Need Thee WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE on VCY.tv

Transcript:

Reverend Robert Lowry was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 12, 1826. From a young age, he showed a deep love for music, often entertaining himself with various instruments.

He enrolled at the University at Lewisburg (now Bucknell University) in Pennsylvania, where he excelled academically and graduated at the top of his class in 1854. That same year, he was ordained into the Baptist ministry and began his pastoral career.

Lowry served churches in several locations, including West Chester, Pennsylvania; Bloomingdale Church in New York City; and the prominent Hanson Place Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. During his time in Brooklyn, he composed some of his most enduring hymns.

Later in life, he returned to Lewisburg, where he pastored the local Baptist church while also serving as a professor of rhetoric (and later literature) at his alma mater, Bucknell University. In 1875, the university honored him with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in recognition of his accomplishments as a preacher, educator, and especially as a prolific hymn writer. He composed both words and music for hundreds of gospel songs and edited numerous hymnals for the prominent publisher Biglow & Main.

Some of his most beloved hymns are still sung in churches today:

  • “Shall We Gather at the River?” (1864), a joyful vision of heaven inspired by Revelation’s imagery of the river of life.
  • “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus” (often titled “What Can Wash Away My Sin?”), based on Revelation’s text, with its powerful refrain emphasizing Christ’s atoning blood.
  • His famous Easter resurrection hymn, “Low in the Grave He Lay” (also known as “Christ Arose!” or “Up from the Grave He Arose,” 1874), which vividly captures the triumph of Jesus over death: “Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior! Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord! Up from the grave He arose…”
  • The beloved refrain he composed for Annie S. Hawks’s text: “I need Thee, oh, I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee; Oh, bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.” (From “I Need Thee Every Hour,” 1872.)

Robert Lowry passed away on November 25, 1899, in Plainfield, New Jersey, but his “sermons in song” continue to inspire and uplift believers worldwide. His work helped shape 19th-century gospel music and remains a cherished part of Christian worship.

 

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
  It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
  His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
  And Christ is Lord indeed.

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO on VCY.tv

Stand up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
  It must not, it must not suffer loss.

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
  In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men, now serve Him
  Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger.
  And strength to strength oppose.

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
  Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor,
  And, watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
  Be never wanting there.

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle,
  The next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh
  A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory,
  Shall reign eternally.

 

Transcript:

We’re here at the grave of George Duffield Jr. in Elmwood Cemetery, not far from downtown Detroit, Michigan.

George Duffield Jr. (1818–1888) was a second-generation Presbyterian minister—his father was also a well-known preacher—and he faithfully served the gospel for about 48 years across several churches in places like Brooklyn, Bloomfield (New Jersey), Philadelphia, Adrian (Michigan), Galesburg (Illinois), Saginaw, Ann Arbor, and Lansing. He lived to be nearly 70 years old and was a man of letters, earning a D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) degree.

But he’s best remembered today not primarily for his sermons, but for one enduring hymn he wrote: “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” Interestingly, the hymn wasn’t inspired by his own experiences or preaching—it came from the dying words of his close friend, Dudley Atkins Tyng.

Tyng was an Episcopalian minister in Philadelphia who was removed from his pastorate at the Church of the Epiphany for boldly preaching against slavery during a time when such views were controversial in many circles. He then turned to evangelism and revival work. Duffield supported him, and together they participated in a major revival movement in Pennsylvania (often called the “Work of God in Philadelphia” in 1858). In one powerful meeting at the YMCA, Tyng preached to over 5,000 young men on Exodus 10:11—”Go now ye that are men, and serve the Lord”—and more than 1,000 professed faith in Christ.

Tragically, shortly after, Tyng suffered a farming accident at his home. His sleeve caught in a corn-sheller, severely mangling his arm. Infection set in, and he died a few days later at age 33. On his deathbed, he asked his father (also a minister) to deliver a message to his fellow ministers: “Tell them all to stand up for Jesus.”

At Tyng’s memorial service, Duffield preached a sermon based on Ephesians 6:14—”Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness”—and closed by reciting a new poem he had written in tribute to his friend. That poem became the hymn “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” It was soon printed by the church’s Sunday school superintendent, appeared in a local Christian publication, spread to a Baptist newspaper, and was included in the Presbyterian Church Psalmist (1859 edition), gaining wide circulation.

The hymn is even carved into Duffield’s tombstone here, with these stirring lines:

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The strife will not be long; This day the noise of battle, The next the victor’s song. To him that overcometh A crown of life shall be; He with the King of glory Shall reign eternally.”

(Full first stanza for context: “Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross; Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory His army shall He lead, Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.”)

George Duffield’s body rests here on earth in Elmwood Cemetery, but as the hymn declares, he is now with the King of glory, reigning eternally. His legacy lives on through this call to courageous faith—a reminder that even in loss and tragedy, God can inspire songs that stir hearts for generations.

Wonderful Peace!

Join us as we go on location to West Bend, WI to learn about the Wisconsin Gospel song,
“Wonderful Peace!”

This hymn is a uniquely Wisconsin hymn. The words were written by a pastor buried in Wisconsin, and set to music by a pastor born in Wisconsin.

Rev. Warren D. Cornell was born in Michigan but left at 19 to teach and preach in Texas. At 23 he came to Wisconsin, where he’d spend the next 40 years of his life in pulpit ministry and civic service. He pastored in the greater Oshkosh area for awhile and 1889 found him as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Berlin, Wisconsin. He later founded an independent church in Fond du Lac, the same city where he’s also buried.

In the 19th century, Camp meetings were an opportunity for churches to come together for singing and fellowship, but primarily preaching the way of Salvation, with the Mourner’s Bench prominently at the front.

Rev. William G. Cooper was pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in West Bend, Wisconsin, he’d later go on to pastor several Baptist churches, but in 1889, his church in West Bend held their annual summer camp meeting from Wednesday night to Sunday night. According to the church historian, the families would gather at the farm of Francis Gansel, a Prussian immigrant to America, who became Town Chairman of West Bend.

We’re standing on the site of the original Francis Gansel farm where the camp meetings were held, although now it is the Bicentennial Park in West Bend.

Rev. Cornell came down from Ripon as a guest speaker at the camp meeting, and on Sunday, the last day of the camp meeting, took a walk down the Milwaukee River just a mile to our east, over by the church building.

Many hymns come from personal tragedy. This hymn however comes from a time of happiness, reminding us that the same God who sends times of sorrow also sends times of joy. Rev. Cornell was so filled with joy after five days of camp meeting spent fellowshipping and eating with believers, testimonies, singing, and preaching, that the words flowed out of the overabundance of his soul. According to a couple of sources, as he walked, Rev. Cornell grabbed the back of an advertising flyer and penned these words along this river:

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

Rev. Cornell put the paper back in his pocket and walked back to the campground for the evening service, surrounded by His Father’s love

Back here at the campground, after the evening service, the host pastor, Rev. Cooper, was cleaning up the grounds when he saw a paper lying on the floor. He read the words, took the paper to the organ, and began composing a tune for the words. As he played on the organ, the words to another stanza began to form in his mind, this stanza an invitation to unbelievers to partake of this peace:

Ah soul, are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark;
Oh, accept this sweet peace so sublime!

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

Three years later, in 1892, Rev. Cooper and his friend Robert McCabe published the hymn in their songbook, Pearls of Paradise, with the note, Dedicated to the M.E. Church, West Bend, Wisconsin, that hosted that camp meeting that gave birth to this beloved hymn, Wonderful Peace.

The Old Rugged Cross

The Old Rugged Cross was written over a hundred years ago, and performed in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Friends Community Church has an outdoor memorial commemorating the first public performance of the hymn, and we take you there! #churchhistoryonlocation

Transcript:

We’re here in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, outside Friends Community Church—a historic site tied to one of the most beloved hymns in Christian history: “The Old Rugged Cross.”

This is where evangelist George Bennard, during revival meetings from December 29, 1912, to January 12, 1913, finished writing the hymn and performed it publicly for the first time. On the closing night (January 12, 1913), Bennard and his colleague Rev. Ed E. Mieras sang it as a duet, accompanied by organist Pearl Torstensen Berg, before a full house. The church’s backyard now features a large wooden cross monument with a plaque honoring the event: “Most popular and widely accepted Christian hymn, ‘The Old Rugged Cross,’ completed by Reverend George Bennard during evangelistic meetings December 1912 to January 1913. First sung as a duet here.”

George Bennard (1873–1958) was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of a coal miner who also owned a bar. The family later moved to Iowa, where his father died when George was young, leaving him to help support his mother and siblings by working in the mines starting at age 16. Despite early hardships and an initial aspiration to enter the ministry, Bennard was converted at a Salvation Army meeting. He and his wife became active in the Salvation Army as brigade leaders before transitioning to the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he was ordained and served as a traveling evangelist.

While preaching across the country, Bennard faced mockery and persecution—especially from local youth who ridiculed his emphasis on the cross and the call to surrender one’s life to Jesus. This opposition led to a period of deep reflection and even depression. As he prayed, studied Scripture, and meditated on passages like “take up your cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24) and Paul’s words “I am crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20), the message of the cross became profoundly real to him.

Words and melody came to him during this time. He began writing the first verse and chorus in Albion, Michigan, in late 1912 (possibly after a revival there), and completed the full hymn during his Sturgeon Bay meetings. When he shared it with his wife, she was moved to tears—it was powerful and personal. The hymn’s enduring appeal comes from its heartfelt focus on Christ’s sacrifice and the believer’s response.

The song gained massive popularity through Bennard’s publisher, Homer Rodeheaver (“Rody”), the famous song leader for evangelist Billy Sunday. Rodeheaver purchased the rights for $500 (some accounts say $50 initially, but $500 is commonly cited) and featured “The Old Rugged Cross” in countless Billy Sunday crusades, helping spread it nationwide. It was published in 1915 and became a staple in gospel music.

In Sturgeon Bay, the original Friends Church fell into disrepair over the years and was even used as a barn for a time. But in recent decades, recognizing that many great hymns were fading from modern worship, dedicated folks raised funds to restore it. Today, Friends Community Church hosts regular afternoon hymn sings that draw people from miles around. Services often begin with a reenactment of Bennard’s first duet performance, using researched original shaped-note music to share the hymn’s message anew.

This is the story of “The Old Rugged Cross”—a hymn born from personal struggle, divine inspiration, and faithful proclamation. As the lyrics declare:

“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain.

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 someday for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction for me; For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above To bear it to dark Calvary.

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, Such a wonderful beauty I see; For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, Its shame and reproach gladly bear; Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away, Where His glory forever I’ll share.”