This week in Christian history: Isaac Watts ordained, Felix III becomes pope, First Lateran Council begins

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, March 13, 2022

Isaac Watts ordained – March 18, 1702

Isaac Watts (1674-1748), notable English clergyman and hymn writer. | Wikimedia Commons

This week marks the anniversary of when Isaac Watts, the author of such famous hymns as “Joy to the World,” “We’re Marching to Zion,” and “O God Our Help in Ages Past,” was ordained.

Watts had served as an assistant and preacher to the Rev. Isaac Chauncey at a church located in the London area, and upon being ordained, replaced the retiring Chauncey.

His time as a leader of the congregation was periodically interrupted for long spans of time due to serious illnesses, according to the 19th century writer Edwin F. Hatfield.

“He entered upon his work with much self-distrust and trembling,” wrote Hatfield. “His constitution had become so enfeebled by disease, that, in June 1703, the Rev. Samuel Price, a native of Wales, was chosen his assistant.”

“His malady again made inroads upon his health, and returned upon him, in the autumn of 1712 … At the request of Watts himself, his assistant, Mr. Price, was ordained, March 3, 1713, his co-pastor.”