On December 29, 1912, Reverend George Bennard and his song leader, Reverend Edward E. Mieras, began a series of evangelistic meetings in the Sturgeon Bay Friends Church. These soul stirring meetings continued on until the final night of January 12, 1913. It was on this last night that the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” was first sung in public.
The meetings were well advertised in the two local county weekly papers which also reported the progress of the meetings. Capacity crowds attended the Friends Church night after night. The other churches supported the services by attending and helping out in the large choir that filled the stage. The hearts of the people were stirred and thrilled by the “songs of Zion” sung by the choir of singers and the duets rendered by both Bennard and Mieras.
The meeting closed about midnight hour of that eventful last day “in a blaze of glory.” Over one hundred and forty were turned to the Lord and many others were helped and established the faith. The meeting was not only eventful but one never to be forgotten. It was during this meeting that Reverend Bennard finished the last three stanzas of the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross.” Reverend Mieras heard the first stanza and chorus played and sung by Bennard on the train while they were on their way up to Sturgeon Bay for the meetings.
Several people saw Reverend Bennard working on the song at various times during the time of the meeting. Alice Tortensen and her three daughters saw him while he was entertained in their home. Maude Stanley Cochran, a sister of the Friends pastor who was staying at the time in the parsonage, heard him play and sing the song while he continued to work on it. Then on that last night several people were entertained for supper at the parsonage by the pastor, Estella McCann and her husband, Frank. Josephine Peterson Leyers, a guest, saw him walking up and down the hall working on the stanzas and humming the tune. Another guest, Henry Maples who sat at the same table, saw him working on the song, after which Reverend Bennard asked Maude to play the organ and take a part; also Henry and Edward were asked to take parts and try out the new composition. Bennard took the melody and they played and sang all four stanzas. Everyone, including Bennard, was pleased with the final result. Henry asked for two copies when the composition was published and Reverend Bennard sent two more copies to Mr. Maples six months later.
That same night, Bennard and Mieras sang the hymn at the meeting at Friends with Pearl Torstenson Berg accompanying on organ. The church was packed with over three hundred eager listeners.
The original parties who took part in this great drama submitted notarized statements and testimonies as to the details of the event. These statements and others from the Door County Advocate give full authentic proof of “The Story of the Old Rugged Cross at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin,” a book composed by Reverent John Baxter.
A marker was erected and dedicated August 10, 1947 in honor of the hymn and the author. This it stands as a silent reminder that the Cross is the way into life and the way of life. It also reveals the love of God and of man to his eternal home.
The meetings were well advertised in the two local county weekly papers which also reported the progress of the meetings. Capacity crowds attended the Friends Church night after night. The other churches supported the services by attending and helping out in the large choir that filled the stage. The hearts of the people were stirred and thrilled by the “songs of Zion” sung by the choir of singers and the duets rendered by both Bennard and Mieras.
The meeting closed about midnight hour of that eventful last day “in a blaze of glory.” Over one hundred and forty were turned to the Lord and many others were helped and established the faith. The meeting was not only eventful but one never to be forgotten. It was during this meeting that Reverend Bennard finished the last three stanzas of the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross.” Reverend Mieras heard the first stanza and chorus played and sung by Bennard on the train while they were on their way up to Sturgeon Bay for the meetings.
Several people saw Reverend Bennard working on the song at various times during the time of the meeting. Alice Tortensen and her three daughters saw him while he was entertained in their home. Maude Stanley Cochran, a sister of the Friends pastor who was staying at the time in the parsonage, heard him play and sing the song while he continued to work on it. Then on that last night several people were entertained for supper at the parsonage by the pastor, Estella McCann and her husband, Frank. Josephine Peterson Leyers, a guest, saw him walking up and down the hall working on the stanzas and humming the tune. Another guest, Henry Maples who sat at the same table, saw him working on the song, after which Reverend Bennard asked Maude to play the organ and take a part; also Henry and Edward were asked to take parts and try out the new composition. Bennard took the melody and they played and sang all four stanzas. Everyone, including Bennard, was pleased with the final result. Henry asked for two copies when the composition was published and Reverend Bennard sent two more copies to Mr. Maples six months later.
That same night, Bennard and Mieras sang the hymn at the meeting at Friends with Pearl Torstenson Berg accompanying on organ. The church was packed with over three hundred eager listeners.
The original parties who took part in this great drama submitted notarized statements and testimonies as to the details of the event. These statements and others from the Door County Advocate give full authentic proof of “The Story of the Old Rugged Cross at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin,” a book composed by Reverent John Baxter.
A marker was erected and dedicated August 10, 1947 in honor of the hymn and the author. This it stands as a silent reminder that the Cross is the way into life and the way of life. It also reveals the love of God and of man to his eternal home.