The Old Rugged Cross Michigan

In 1913 the rev george bennard completed his hymn the old rugged cross while staying in pokagon mi.

The old rugged cross michigan.

It s been covered by alan jackson carrie underwood and even elvis. This song has touched millions. Mieras from chicago to sturgeon bay wisconsin where they held evangelistic meetings at the friends church from december 29 1912. As a methodist evangelist george bennard wrote the first verse of the old rugged cross in albion michigan in the fall of 1912 as a response to ridicule that he had received at a revival meeting bennard traveled with ed e.

The hymn the old rugged cross has stood the test of time being performed and recorded by numerous gospel and county music artists over the years since it was composed in 1913. George bennard in reed city may. The old rugged cross historical museum is an outgrowth of a memorial cross erected and dedicated on september 14 1954 north of reed city michigan near the home of reverend and mrs. Rev bennard was the author of world renowned hymn the old rugged cross written in 1913.

Reverend bennard was the author of well loved hymn the old rugged cross written in 1913. The story behind the old rugged cross. The hymn the old rugged cross has stood the test of time being performed and recorded by numerous gospel and county music artists over the years since it was composed in 1913. The old rugged cross uses a sentimental popular song form with a verse chorus pattern in 6 8 time and it speaks of the writer s adoration of christ and his sacrifice at calvary.

Interesting piece of local and national history. But a museum dedicated to the composer of the hymn the rev. The old rugged cross historical museum is an outgrowth of a memorial cross erected and dedicated on september 14 1954 north of reed city at the home of rev. Niles michigan 667 contributions 142 helpful votes.

The museum presently contains mementos and relics not only from the bennard home but also from the. He sang the final version for the first time at a revival meeting in the pokagon methodist episcopal church. The church has been renovated beautifully and a garden established near it for a contemplative walk. The old rugged cross lives on by molly tate shaffer is a 488 page pictorial and verbal history of the hymn and its author and gives a step by step account of the restoration of the building where it made its public debut.

This is the location where the song the old rugged cross was first sung in its entirety.