Church’s One Foundation Hymn Lyrics
Hymn Author: Samuel J Stone
1 The Church’s one foundation
is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the Word.
From heav’n he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.
2 Elect from ev’ry nation,
yet one o’er all the earth;
her charter of salvation:
one Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with ev’ry grace endued.
3 The Church shall never perish.
Her dear Lord to defend,
to guide, sustain, and cherish,
is with her to the end.
Tho’ there be those that hate her
and strive to see her fail,
against both foe and traitor
she ever shall prevail.
4 Tho’ with a scornful wonder
the world sees her oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping;
their cry goes up, “How long?”
and soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.
5 ‘Mid toil and tribulation
and tumult of her war
she waits the consummation
of peace forevermore
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great Church victorious
shall be the Church at rest.
For links to other old and popular hymns visit this post.
Below are some must-read posts on hymns history and lyrics:
The Day of Resurrection (Ancient Resurrection Hymn) Story and Lyrics
Be Still My Soul Hymn Story and Lyrics
What a Friend We Have In Jesus Hymn Story and Lyrics
O Beautiful for Spacious Skies Hymn History and Lyrics
In Christ Alone Hymn History and Lyrics
The History of The Church’s One Foundation Hymn
A hymn that has an interesting origin and history is the hymn usually called by its first line, “The Church’s One Foundation.” It was written by Samuel J. Stone in 1866.
The story of its conception in the mind of the waiter is that he was impressed by the defense of the Catholic Faith made by Bishop Gray, of Capetown, against the teachings of Bishop Colenso.
This fact gives it a historic association that adds interest and meaning to its stanzas, which in the original number ten.
The hymn as it appeared originally is an elaboration of that portion of the Apostles’ Creed which is indicated by the title, ‘The Holy Catholic Church: The Communion of Saints. He is the Head of the Body, the Church.”
This title is given to the hymn in the author’s collection known as “Lyra Fidelium.” It is a festival hymn of the church.
