The Old Rugged Cross - One of My Favorite Hymns

I have been reflecting on what my favorite old hymns are. I love the old hymns and thought it might be interesting to write my thoughts on several of my favorites. "The Old Rugged Cross" has to be one of my favorite hymns of all times. This hub is dedicated to and with resources as my tribute to this beloved song!

"The Old Rugged Cross" is the well-liked Christian song written in 1912 by evangelist and song-leader George Bennard (1873-1958).

George Bennard, was a resident of Youngstown, Ohio but was raised in Iowa. He was converted in a Salvation Army meeting. Later, he and his wife developed into brigade leaders. After that they left the group to become part of the Methodist Church. Bennard became Methodist evangelist. He wrote the first verse of this beloved hymn in Albion, Michigan, in the fall of 1912.

Charles H. Gabriel, a well-known gospel-song writer and composer helped Bennard with the harmonies. The completed version was first achieved and performed on June 7th, 1913, by a five-member choir in Pokagon Michigan. The hymn was published in 1915. It became popular during the revival campaigns of Billy Sunday (performed by Homer Rodeheaver (who bought rights to the song for $500) and Virginia Asher, who were perhaps also the first to record it in 1921).

(FROM WIKIPEDIA) "The Old Rugged Cross" remains enormously popular and has been performed by some of the twentieth century's most important recording artists, including: Al Green, Anne Murray, Brad Paisley, Chet Atkins, Elvis Presley, Floyd Cramer, George Jones, Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash and June Carter, Kevin Max, Mahalia Jackson, Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Ray Price, Ricky Van Shelton, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Statler Brothers, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, and George Beverly Shea.

The blessed song speaks of the writer’s personal experience with Jesus Christ as his savior, dying on the sacrificial cross at Calvary.