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The Church's one foundation
 | The Church's one foundationAuthor: S. J. Stone (1866)Tune: AURELIA Songs of Response Published in 680 hymnals Printable scores: PDF, SibeliusAudio files: MIDI | |
Author: S. J. Stone
Stone, Samuel John, a clergyman of the Church of England, the son of Rev. William Stone, was born at Whitmore, Staffordshire, April 25, 1839. He was educated at Pembroke College, Oxford, where he was graduated B.A. in 1862. Later he took orders and served various Churches. He succeeded his father at St. Paul's, Haggerstown, in 1874. He was the author of many original hymns and translations, which were collected and published in 1886. His hymns are hopeful in spirit and skillfully constructed. He published several poetic volumes. He died November 19, 1900.
The Church's one foundation 207
Weary of earth, and laden with my 284
--Hymn Writers of the Church, 1915 (Charles Nutter)… Go to person page >For Leaders
Text
The actual words have not changed much from Stone’s original text, though there are differences in what verses are sung. Stone’s hymn originally consisted of seven stanzas, to which he added three more, and today most hymnals include the original 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, though not every hymnal contains all five. In the first two verses, we proclaim our unity as the Church in Christ, through baptism, the Word, and Communion. In stanza 3 and 4, we pray that divisions might cease and we would fully experience that unity, and in verse 5, we acknowledge the unity greater than the sum of individual people, our fellowship with God, the Three in One.
Tune
The tune that most often accompanies this text is AURELIA, composed in 1864 by Samuel S. Wesley and first published as a setting for “Jerusalem the Golden.” It was paired with Stone’s text shortly after, to the chagrin of some: Dr. Henry Gauntlett was apparently very annoyed by this match-up, as he thought Wesley’s tune was “inartistic, secular twaddle.” Dr. Gauntlett was not to have the last word however, and the tune has stuck. Still not a favorite of some, there have been a few revisions: Erik Routley suggests singing the text to the tune ST. THEODULPH. Brian Moss, for Indelible Grace, composed a new tune that at the same time expresses a prayer for unity, and the assurance of Christ, in its quiet but confident melody.
When/Why/How
This hymn is especially fitting for the ending of communion, a celebration of our unity in the body and blood of Christ. It can also be sung as a response to declarations of our faith, such as the creeds, a Scripture passage, or a sermon. In the liturgical calendar, it is particularly appropriate for world communion Sundays. In Sing a New Creation #177, there is a Chinese version of the text, which focuses more on persecution rather than schisms. If you want to celebrate our world-wide unity in Christ, but don’t have the resources to do non-Western music, using the Chinese text with the familiar tune is an excellent option.
Suggested music:
- Holland, II, M. Robert. The Church's One Foundation - for Choir
- Phillips, Don. A Celebration of the Church - for Choir
- Bankson, Jeremy J. The Church's One Foundation - for Organ, Congregational singing, optional brass quintet, and timpani
Laura de Jong Hymnary.org
In the mid-nineteenth century, Bishop John William Colenso of Natal raised a ruckus in the Catholic Church when he challenged the historicity and authority of many of the Old Testament books. Bishop Gray of Capetown wrote a stirring response of defense, which, in 1866, inspired Samuel Stone, to write this beloved hymn, basing his text on Article 9 of the Apostle’s Creed: “The Holy Catholic (Universal) Church; the Communion of Saints; He is the Head of this Body.” Now an affirmation of Christ as the foundation of our faith, we sing this hymn with those who have gone before us and with Christians around the world, declaring that beyond any theological differences, cultural divides, and variances in practice, we are all part of the same body, the body of Christ.
