This week in Christian history: ‘Rock of Ages’ writer ordained, bombed church reopens

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, June 06, 2021

The building that housed 16th Street Baptist Church of Birmingham, Alabama from 1884 to 1908. In 1963, a white racist bombed the church, resulting in the deaths of four African American girls. | Wikimedia Commons

Throughout the extensive history of the Church, there have been numerous events of lasting significance.

Each week brings anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births, notable deaths and everything in between.

Some of the events drawn from over 2,000 years of history might be familiar, while other happenings might be previously unknown to most people.

Here are three events that happened this week in Christian history. They include the ordination of the man who wrote the hymn “Rock of Ages,” the reopening of a black church bombed during the 1960s, and the founding of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.