Watch a short video about Phillip Bliss filmed on location
From the Marker:
“Near this site, an iron truss bridge collapsed into the Ashtabula River during a blizzard, plunging a passenger train with 160 on board into the gulf below. Nearly 100 people were killed in this, one of the worst train disasters in American history. The most well known passengers were Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876) and his wife, Lucy. A leading gospel songwriter, Bliss wrote more than 100 hymns including the music to “It Is Well With My Soul.” The unidentified were buried in a mass grave at Chestnut Grove Cemetery that is marked by a tall granite monument listing the names of those who died. The local hospital was founded as a result of this disaster and features an audio history in the James Lewis Smith Memorial Courtyard in front. The incident also led to reforms in bridge design and railroad safety.”
Ashtabula Historical Marker. Photo by Randy Melchert
Hymns by Philip Bliss found in Great Hymns of the Faith:
#127 – Hallelujah, What a Savior!
#197 – Hallelujah, ‘Tis Done!
#203 – Whosoever Will
#205 – Once for All!
#213 – The Light of the World Is Jesus
#234 – Wonderful Words of Life
#251 – Almost Persuaded
#362 – More Holiness Give Me
#363 – Dare to Be a Daniel
#371 – Let the Lower Lights Be Burning
#409 – Hold the Fort
#488 – My Redeemer
#492 – Jesus Loves Even Me
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Image Source/Credit (in order):
- Photo by Randy Melchert
- Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
