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"The Old Rugged Cross" is a popular song written in 1912 by evangelist George Bennard. George Bennard, was born in Youngstown, Ohio but was grew up in Iowa. After his conversion in a Salvation Army meeting, he and his wife became brigade leaders before leaving the organization for the Methodist Church. As a Methodist evangelist, Bennard wrote the first verse of the gospel song, "The Old Rugged Cross" in Albion, Michigan, in the fall of 1912. Charles Gabriel, a well-known gospel-song composer helped Bennard with the harmonies. The completed version was first performed on June 7th, 1913, by a choir of five in Pokagon Michigan. Bennard retired to Reed City, Michigan, and the town maintains a museum dedicated to his life and ministry.
