King Charles III’s coronation: 5 sacred songs that will be performed

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Wednesday, May 03, 2023

'Christ is Made the Sure Foundation'

“Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” is a hymn that comes from the Medieval Era, composed by an unknown author in Latin in the seventh century and later translated into English by John Mason Neale during the 19th century. It is scheduled to serve as the offertory hymn during the coronation service.

“Neale’s original translation has been altered significantly for today’s hymnals, and the flowing plainsong melody has been replaced by the stately tune Westminster Abbey composed by the famous English composer Henry Purcell,” wrote C. Michael Hawn, director of pastoral music for the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

“Yet something of this song from deep in our Christian past remains and still informs our faith today if we will allow ourselves to sing with the saints.”