This Famous Church Hymn Was Written In Calhoun County
Most Christian worshipers have heard or sung the classic hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" at church. It was written in late 1912 in Albion by traveling Methodist evangelist George Bennard and stems from the emotions of embarrassment and shame.
Bennard was responding to harsh criticism during revivals he had performed at while touring the country and began to pen the tune and lyrics at the home of a professor he and his wife were staying with near Albion College. The unfinished song was performed for the first time during the summer of 1913 at a church in Cass County. That same year, Bennard completed the song while staying in Pokagon. He also sang the final version for the first time at a revival meeting in the Pokagon Methodist Episcopal Church.
During the 1920s and 1930s, the hymn increasingly gained popularity and was appearing in hymnals across several church denominations. The hymn eventually became a country gospel favorite in the early 1950s and to this day has been recorded and performed by dozens of famous country musicians.
Bennard did not become rich from the hymn despite its success. He reportedly sold the rights to it for $500 before its widespread popularity. Despite writing several other worship songs, he never again achieved the heights of "The Old Rugged Cross". He was a "one hit wonder" hymn writer, but not to some. Bennard was mistakenly introduced during his evangelical travels as the author of several other famous hymns which he did not write.
A Michigan Historical Marker is located at 1101 Michigan Avenue in Albion where George Bennard etched his famous tune.
"The Old Rugged Cross" - George Bennard - Albion, Michigan (1912)
On a hill far away, stood an old rugged Cross
The emblem of suff'ring 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 some day 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
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 some day for a crown
In the old rugged Cross, stain'd with blood so divine
A wondrous beauty I see
For the dear Lamb of God, left His Glory above
To pardon and sanctify me
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 some day for a crown
To the old rugged Cross, I will ever be true
Its shame and reproach gladly bear
Then He'll call me some day to my home far away
Where His glory forever I'll share
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 some day for a crown
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