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If America had a national folk hymn, Amazing Grace would probably be it. This well-loved and often sung hymn, written by John Newton in the late eighteenth century, is a powerful assurance   of the grace of God.

It is also the opening hymn of Hymnfest24, an old-fashioned hymn sing-along for the community at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at St. Luke’s historic church in Old Cahawba Archaeological Park.

“We chose to open our Hymnfest this year with this magnificent hymn – which was sung in churches in Cahawba – because it reminds us of how sweet the sound of God’s amazing grace,” said Christine Weerts, Hymnfest coordinator.

“We invite everyone from any and all faith traditions to join us in this festival of hymns. We will be singing beloved hymns of the church that have been sung for years, joined by local church choirs,  and we will be sharing stories of some of the hymn writers.”

Amazing Grace composer John Newton’s mother died when he was just eight, and shortly afterward, he joined his father at sea and began a tumultuous life in the Navy, eventually becoming captain of a slave ship. In a period of four years, however, his life was drastically turned around: he nearly drowned, he married a very faith-filled Mary Catlett, and he read  Thomas à Kempis’ Imitation of Christ. In 1754 he gave up the slave trade and joined forces with the great abolitionist, William Wilberforce, writing a book to help end the slave trade in England.

Newton was eventually ordained for ministry in the Anglican church, and soon after wrote this great text, declaring that we are saved only the grace of God. Newton wrote, “I can see no reason why the Lord singled me out for mercy…unless it was to show, by one astonishing instance, that with him ‘nothing is impossible.’” 

While Newton wrote the text in 1779 in England, the hymn gained popularity in the U.S. many years later when it was matched with a popular Appalachian tune in the 1829 hymnal Southern Harmony.

There will be plenty of hymnbooks for all attending. All are welcome to this free event.

Hymnfest 24 is sponsored by The Cahaba Foundation, the Mary E. Stallworth Foundation Trust,  Cahawba Advisory Committee, First Cahawba Bank, Thrivent Financial, Old Cahawba Archaeological Park and the Alabama Historical Commission.

Old Cahawba is located 13 miles west of Selma at the confluence of the Alabama and Cahaba Rivers. Take Hwy. 22, to Co. Rd. 9, then left on Co. Rd. 2.   For questions, call the Park at 334-872-8058.