This week in Christian history: ELCA elects first woman leader, first Methodist preacher arrives in Australia

Lowell Mason dies – Aug. 11, 1872

This week marks the anniversary of when music composer Lowell Mason, the man behind several notable hymns and other musical works, died at the age of 80.

Born in Medfield, Massachusetts, to a musically-inclined family, Mason learned to play several instruments as a child and became the choir director at his church at age 16.

In addition to writing several hymns, he also composed the tunes of such famous sacred songs as “Nearer, my God, to Thee,” "My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” and “Joy to the World.”

A collection of his works was published anonymously in 1822 under the title The Handel and Haydn Society’s Collection of Church Music, and soon sold over 50,000 copies.

“His later years were occupied with occasional teaching and with publishing numerous articles and books,” wrote Michael Pratt of the website Music for the Soul.

“In 1855, Lowell was awarded an honorary doctorate in music from Yale University to whom he later gave his vast collection of books and music.”