The greatest hymn on the doctrine of the Church, “The Church’s One Foundation,” was written in 1866 in defense of the inspiration of the Pentateuch and the Book of Joshua. Bishop John Colenso of the Church of England espoused the liberal theology of “higher criticism” and attempted to remove these six books from the inspired canon of Scripture.
The writer of the hymn, Samuel J. Stone (1839-1900), was a pastor of the Church of England and a crusader for the faith that was being so strongly attacked. A firm believer in the inspiration of Scripture and deeply moved by the attacks on the authenticity of the Pentateuch and the Book of Joshua, Stone, in response, wrote a series of twelve hymns called Lyra Fidelium (Lyre of the Faithful) based upon the Apostle’s Creed. The hymn “The Church’s One Foundation” is taken from the Ninth Article of the Apostle’s Creed, which states, “The Holy Catholic [Universal] Church; the Communion of Saints: He is the Head of this Body.”
Stone strongly believed that the Church should have Christ and His Word as its foundation and should not be swayed by man’s views or interpretations. After completing the Lyra Fidelium, Rev. Stone went on to become a prolific hymn writer, compiling a total of seven hymnals, yet unfortunately, “The Church’s One Foundation” is the only hymn of Stone’s still in general use today.
The tune to which “The Church’s One Foundation” is sung is AURELIA, taken from the Latin word “aureus,” which means “golden.” The tune was written by church musician Samuel Wesley (1810-1876), grandson of Charles Wesley. The tune had originally been written for the hymn “Jerusalem the Golden” (hence, the name), but was put with “The Church’s One Foundation” in 1868 and has remained the hymn’s one and only tune to this day.
Below is a stanza not found in any hymnal today. The “false sons” refers to Bishop Colenso and others who attempted to discredit parts of God’s Word.
The Church shall never perish! Her dear Lord to defend.
To guide, sustain and cherish. Is with her to the end;
Though there be those who hate her. And false sons in her pale.
Against or foe or traitor She ever shall prevail.
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