Eleanor Allen Schroll Grave

Hymn History: The Beautiful Garden of Prayer & Author: Eleanor Allen Schroll

“There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,
There’s a place that is wondrously fair;
 … ’Tis that beautiful garden of prayer.”
(Eleanor Allen Schroll)

The Origin of the Hymn “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer”

The hymn “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” is a cherished treasure in the heritage of Christian worship, conveying an invitation to enter into intimate communion with God. Written in the early 20th century, this hymn reflects the quiet, reflective spirituality of its composer and continues to encourage believers toward deeper fellowship with the Lord through prayer.

The Hymnwriter: Eleanor Allen Schroll (1878–1966)

“The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” was penned by Eleanor Allen Schroll, a relatively lesser-known but deeply devoted hymnwriter born on August 31, 1878, in Rockville, Indiana. Schroll was active in sacred music as both a lyricist and a vocalist, contributing a modest but meaningful body of work to American gospel hymnody. Over the course of her life, she wrote several hymns focusing on themes of devotion, praise, and consecration, often reflecting on the believer’s personal relationship with God.

Little is known about the details of Schroll’s personal life, but it is apparent from her work—and particularly from this hymn—that she was a woman of considerable spiritual depth. Her writing reveals a tender heart for prayer and a keen sensitivity to the solace and strength that communion with God provides.

The Music: Composed by James Henry Fillmore, Sr. (1849–1936)

The melody of “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” was composed by James Henry Fillmore, Sr., one of the most prolific hymn composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1849, Fillmore was a minister, music teacher, publisher, and composer. He founded the influential Fillmore Brothers Publishing House in 1880, which became a leading publisher of sacred music—especially for churches in the Restoration and Holiness movements.

Fillmore’s music is known for its warmth, accessibility, and emotional appeal. He had a special talent for creating tunes that were singable and expressive, and his accompaniment to “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” was no exception. The gentle, flowing melody perfectly complements Schroll’s poetic language, enhancing the hymn’s invitation to dwell in the quiet place of prayer.

Publication and Early Reception

The hymn was published in 1920, included in The New Century Hymnal, a revival songbook edited by James H. Fillmore. From the beginning, “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” gained wide acceptance among churches that emphasized personal piety and the transformative power of prayer. Its lyrical imagery and reassuring tone made it especially popular in prayer meetings, revival services, and devotional gatherings.

The hymn evokes a quiet, almost idyllic space—symbolized by a “garden”—where the believer meets Christ in sacred fellowship. Its opening line, “There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,” immediately sets a tone of invitation and tranquility. The garden alludes to biblical places of prayer, such as the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in deep anguish, and the Garden Tomb, symbolizing resurrection and hope. In Schroll’s hymn, the garden becomes a metaphorical sanctuary of peace.

Themes and Message

“The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” centers on the rich, restorative experience of drawing near to God in the place of prayer. Each stanza develops an aspect of this spiritual reality:

• Stanza 1 speaks of Jesus “waiting and watching” for time shared with the believer in the secret place of prayer.
• Stanza 2 draws the worshiper into the “quiet hour” where burdens are lifted.
• Stanza 3 expresses the comfort and joy of laying one’s heart bare before a loving Savior.

The chorus reinforces these themes with tender repetition:

“O the beautiful garden, the garden of prayer,
O the beautiful garden of prayer!
There my Savior awaits, and He opens the gates
To the beautiful garden of prayer.”

Schroll’s choice of language—words like “beautiful,” “quiet,” “opens,” “awaits”—infuses the hymn with an almost pastoral warmth. It paints prayer not as duty, but as delight.

Legacy and Influence

Over a century after its composition, “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” still appears in many hymnals and continues to be sung in traditional worship settings. Its peaceful tone and timeless message make it fitting for both corporate worship and personal devotion. Many have found comfort in its reminder that prayer is not merely communication, but relationship—a sacred time spent in the presence of a loving Savior.

Though Eleanor Schroll may not have attained the fame of other hymnwriters of her era, her contribution through this hymn is enduring. Together with James Fillmore, she gave the church a tender reminder of the quiet joy found in regular communion with God.

As the world grows louder and life’s pace quickens, “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” calls us back to the still, small voice that speaks in the secret place—where Jesus still quietly waits for us.