By Staff
The Old Rugged Cross historic site in Pokagon, between Dowagiac and Niles, was the site of the first public performance of the hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" in 1913.
On Wednesday, April 6, at 6:30 p.m., Molly Shaffer will present a lecture on the history of the church and efforts to restore it.
The lecture at The Museum at Southwestern Michigan College is free. Refreshments will be served.
The building that housed the church was originally built as a barn in 1862.
By 1876, it was converted to a church by the local Methodist Episcopal congregation.
Painted glass windows and a bell tower with a large brass bell helped to make the transition from barn to church. Over time, the church became known as The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon.
By 1913, the church had begun to host revival meetings. The pastor, the Rev. Leroy O. Bostwick, invited his friend, the Rev. George Bennard, to assist him with the meetings. Bennard brought with him a new hymn he had been writing.
While staying at the Pokagon parsonage, Bennard completed the hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross," and performed it at the church. The hymn quickly became a favorite nationwide.
The church building was sold in 1915 to a local farmer who returned it to its original function. For more than 80 years it remained in private hands.
In 1998, the Old Rugged Cross Foundation formed and purchased the building.
The foundation is in the process of restoring the old church.
Wednesday's lecture is one in a series that will end May 4 with a lecture by Judy van der Linden entitled "Past and Present Intersect: Historic Trails of Michigan."