‘Rock of Ages’

The origin story of the adored hymn remains shrouded in mystery.

“A Passing Storm,” 1849, by Frederic Edwin Church. Oil on canvas. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Public Domain

While walking home one day through a rural village in North Somerset, England, Augustus Toplady got caught in a violent thunderstorm. The story goes that the young minister took shelter in the cleft, or opening, of a large rock. While waiting out the storm in the isolated area, he wrote down the first lyrics of what would become one of the world’s favorite hymns of all time.

A Life of Worship

Portrait of Augustus Toplady, 1783, by unknown artist. Public Domain

Augustus Toplady was born in the town of Farnham, in Surrey, England, in 1740. From a young age, he took religious studies seriously. He wrote daily in notebooks he called “spiritual journals.” And at just 12 years old, he even tried his hand at preaching.

When he was 15, while living in Ireland with his mother, he attended a revival event hosted by Methodists that moved him greatly. At that moment, he dedicated the rest of his life to being a committed minister.

His pursuits eventually brought him back to England, where he became a minister with the Church of England. While serving, he acted as curate (parish priest) to a few different communities, including Farleigh Hungerford and Blagdon.

The small village of Blagdon is where the origin story of “Rock of Ages” begins.

Thunderous Beginnings

"A Passing Storm," 1849, by Frederic Edwin Church. Oil on canvas. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Public Domain

While serving as curate to the rural town, Toplady was making his way home one day when a severe storm suddenly appeared. While seeking shelter in the opening of a rock, he wrote the famous lines, “Rock of ages, cleft for me.”

Starting with that powerful phrase, he continued to work on the rest of the words to his hymn, one of many he’d write over the years. The first few lines were published in the still-in-print publication The Gospel Magazine in 1775. The next year, Toplady released the rest of the song in his book “Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Worship.”

Toplady wasn’t the only minister to gain spiritual inspiration from a powerful storm. Years after Toplady’s rumored experience, Swedish preacher Carl Boberg penned the initial version of the hymn that would become known as “How Great Thou Art” after getting stuck in bad weather while trying to get home in the spring of 1885.

A More Likely Scenario

"John Wesley," circa 1820, by Thomas Anthony Dean. Stipple engraving. National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. Public Domain

While the song’s dramatic beginnings for Toplady paint quite a picture, pastor and writer Louis Benson would later point out a more plausible source of inspiration for the minister.

At the time of the song’s creation, like many others, Augustus was reading a book by the popular religious figure John Wesley. His book “Hymns on the Lord’s Supper” contains prayers that share similarities with Toplady’s song, including word choice and overall themes.

While this theory sounds more believable, some historians argue against it because of Toplady’s sometimes strained relationship with Wesley, due to opposing views. While Toplady was a Calvinist, Wesley taught theology grounded in Methodist doctrines now known as “Wesleyan Theology.” This resulted in fundamental differences between the two ministers’ teachings, including how salvation is experienced and who is able to be saved.

A Favorite Among Worshippers

An 1875 print of "Rock of Ages Cleft for Me." Library of Congress. Public Domain

Benson, who wrote a good bit about “Rock of Ages,” stated in 1923 that the popular song “is to-day in more church hymnals than is any other English hymn.”

Toplady wrote many hymns over his lifetime, but none were so embraced by congregations around the world as “Rock of Ages.” It is known as one of the “Great Four” Anglican hymns of the 19th century due to its widespread popularity. And the song’s mysterious beginnings only add to its beauty and wonder.

Today, a plaque is fixed on the rock where Toplady supposedly sought refuge that stormy day so long ago, signifying its historic significance surrounding such an important spiritual song.

Maybe the song did come about by way of a thunderstorm, or maybe Augustus was inspired by the popular prayer book penned by rival minister John Wesley. Either way, it has remained a steady, comforting source of faith among churches and congregations since its official debut in 1776. “Rock of Ages” explores salvation and the all-powerful force of God.

"Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling," reads the third verse in the hymn "Rock of Ages." A print of "Rock of Ages" circa 1873. Library of Congress. Public Domain

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