Have you ever wondered about the history of the hymn “The Old Rugged Cross”? Well, right here in Chicago, stands the Old Rugged Cross Missionary Baptist Church. It was built in a unique way. The original church was actually built in 1862, not as a church, but as a hops barn for drying and storing hops used for making beer. But in the mid-1870s, a local Christian group purchased the barn, turned it into a church, and added a two-story section in the back. It was in this church, in 1913, that George Bennard, the composer of the hymn, completed the first two verses.
The story goes that Bennard was invited to preach at the church by Rev. Leroy Bostwick. He brought those first verses with him and continued work on the hymn at the Bostwick’s home. They were so impressed with the hymn that they offered to pay for its first printing. Bennard graciously accepted.
The church would remain the home of the first Methodist Episcopal Church congregation until 1914, when they moved to another church across the street. The barn, the home of the original church, would eventually be sold again. This time, the new owner removed the sanctuary floor and used the building to house animals and materials. It remained a barn for 84 years, until a dedicated Christian couple purchased it in 1998. They dedicated themselves to restoring it to its original church appearance.
The Old Rugged Cross Missionary Baptist Church is a testament to the enduring power of faith, music, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to