Original Hymn by Josiah F. Kimball

With grateful hearts, our Father, here

We come, our joyful songs to raise,

And, with the memories so dear,

To bow our souls in love and praise.

Rich is the covenanted love

Our fathers here so long professed,

Faithful till they were called above,

To enter their eternal rest.

In humble prayer, and hearty praise,

To follow in the path they trod,

May we be led, throughout our days,

In love and reverence to God.

Within this sacred place, where long

Thy gracious Spirit came to bless,

Still may we raise our prayer and song,

And earnest faith and love profess.

When in this temple we no more

May come to honor Thy commands,

Then may we all in triumph soar

Up to the "house not made with hands."

The 140th anniversary of the South Parish House was celebrated on Sunday, July 31. 1887.  The main address was given by Rev. Franklin Waters, the pastor of the church.  The poem was published in a booklet entitled "An Historical Address Delivered on the 140th Anniversary of the Organization of the South Church, Ipswich", published in Ipswich in 1887.

Poems