John Samuel Bewley Monsell facts for kids
John Samuel Bewley Monsell (born March 2, 1811 – died April 9, 1875) was an Irish clergyman and a talented poet. He is best known for writing many popular hymns, which are songs of praise used in churches.
Early Life and Family
John Monsell was born in Derry, Ireland. His father, Thomas Bewley Monsell, was an important church leader called an Archdeacon. John went to Trinity College, Dublin, where he earned his degree. He became a deacon in 1834 and a priest in 1835. His sister, Diana Conyngham Ellis, was a famous artist who drew plants.
In 1835, John Monsell married Anne Waller. They had several children. Their eldest son, Thomas, was a soldier who sadly died at sea when he was 18. Their daughter, Jane Diana, married another clergyman, C. W. Furse. John Monsell's granddaughter, Elinor Darwin, became a well-known artist.
John Monsell's brother, Charles, was also a clergyman. Charles's wife, Harriet O'Brien, helped restart a religious community called the Community of St John Baptist near Windsor. Through his brother and sister-in-law, John Monsell became interested in the Oxford Movement. This was a religious movement that aimed to bring back older Christian traditions. He also became friends with William Ewart Gladstone, who later became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. They often wrote letters to each other.
Church Building and Later Years
John Monsell was very active in his church work. He was responsible for building or rebuilding three churches during his time as a clergyman. These churches were in Ramoan, Ballycastle, County Antrim; St Jude, Englefield Green; and St. Nicolas' Church, Guildford.
While he was checking on the rebuilding of St. Nicolas' Church in Guildford, John Monsell had an accident. He fell and got an injury that became infected. He sadly died in 1875 because of this injury.
Church Roles
John Monsell held several important roles in the church throughout his life:
- Curate of Templemore (in the Derry area) from 1834 to 1836. A curate is a junior priest who helps in a parish.
- Chaplain of Chapel of Ease (St. Augustine’s) from 1836 to 1838. A chaplain serves a specific institution or group.
- Chaplain of Magdalene College, Belfast, from 1843 to 1846.
- Rector of Dunaghy from 1846 to 1847. A rector is the main priest in charge of a parish.
- Rector of Ramoan (in the Connor area) from 1847 to 1853.
- Chancellor of Connor from 1847 to 1853. A chancellor is a senior church official.
- Vicar of Egham, near Windsor, from 1853 to 1870. A vicar is also a priest in charge of a parish.
- Rector of St. Nicolas' Church, Guildford and Chaplain to Queen Victoria from 1870 to 1875. Being a chaplain to the Queen was a special honor.
Published Works
John Monsell was a very productive writer of hymns. He published eleven books of poems and wrote about 300 hymns.
Some of his books include:
- Hymns and Miscellaneous Poems (1837)
- Parish Musings: In verse (1850)
- Spiritual Songs for the Sundays and Holy Days Throughout the Year (1859)
- Hymns of Love and Praise for the Church's Year (1863)
- Our New Vicar (1867)
- Litany Hymns (1870)
Some of his most famous hymns are:
- "Fight the good fight with all thy might"
- "Mighty Father! Blessed Son"
- "On our way rejoicing as we homeward move"
- "Sing to the Lord a joyful song"
- "O Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!"
- "I hunger and I thirst"
