The Cowper and Newton Museum
Olney’s Cowper and Newton Museum holds information, facts and artefacts of the history of William Cowper and John Newton, the links below show many pictures from a recent visit to the museum.
Amazing Grace 250
All eyes were set on Olney in 2023, when the town was at the centre of commemorations to mark the 250th anniversary of one of the world’s most beloved hymns, ‘Amazing Grace’.
Composed by the Reverend John Newton in the weeks leading up to his New Year’s Day service at St Peter & St Paul Church on 1st January 1773, the hymn – in various different musical styles – has gone on to inspire countless people and has even become known in America as the nation’s “spiritual anthem”.
“’Amazing Grace’ is a hymn that means so many things to so many different people, and so we didn’t want to mark its 250th anniversary with just one big official event,” explains Cowper & Newton museum trustee Amanda Molcher.
Other plans included the setting up of an Amazing Grace Community Quilt Project which has lead to the creation of a large quilt dedicated to the hymn that will then tour venues around Olney and beyond. The Olney Allotment Association has used the anniversary to establish a new community orchard, while the Cowper & Newton Museum has a ‘Sharing Heritage’ project, that will tell the stories of the people and places of Olney through new information boards and heritage trails.
If you would like to offer support for the anniversary preparations, please email the event team at olneyag250@yahoo.co.uk
Click here to listen to the choir sing Amazing Grace
Events held in 2022
Lecture on the hymn Amazing Grace's enduring legacy
July 15th 2022
A day to explore the origins, legacy and enduring popularity of ‘Amazing Grace.' You will be welcomed into the Church of St Peter & St Paul – central to the story of John Newton, where he is commemorated in stained glass. More lecture details and booking information will follow.
Open University Lecture on Amazing Grace origins
July 16th 2022
This special day of lectures, hosted by The Open University, will explore how the hymn Amazing Grace originated, its legacy and why it has proved so enduring. As we get more information on the lecturers, break-out sessions and booking, these will feature here.
Amazing Grace Morning Service in John Newton's Church
January 1st 2023 at 10am to 11am
Why not join the 'Amazing Grace morning service' in John Newton's own church. It was here he held his morning service, the sermon for which the hymn 'Amazing Grace' was written. A unique experience marking the formal start of the 2023 anniversary year.
The Cowper and Newton Museum
Olney’s Cowper and Newton Museum holds information, facts and artefacts of the history of William Cowper and John Newton, the links below show many pictures from a recent visit to the museum.
Amazing Grace 250
All eyes were set on Olney in 2023, when the town was at the centre of commemorations to mark the 250th anniversary of one of the world’s most beloved hymns, ‘Amazing Grace’.
Composed by the Reverend John Newton in the weeks leading up to his New Year’s Day service at St Peter & St Paul Church on 1st January 1773, the hymn – in various different musical styles – has gone on to inspire countless people and has even become known in America as the nation’s “spiritual anthem”.
“’Amazing Grace’ is a hymn that means so many things to so many different people, and so we didn’t want to mark its 250th anniversary with just one big official event,” explains Cowper & Newton museum trustee Amanda Molcher.
Other plans included the setting up of an Amazing Grace Community Quilt Project which has lead to the creation of a large quilt dedicated to the hymn that will then tour venues around Olney and beyond. The Olney Allotment Association has used the anniversary to establish a new community orchard, while the Cowper & Newton Museum has a ‘Sharing Heritage’ project, that will tell the stories of the people and places of Olney through new information boards and heritage trails.
If you would like to offer support for the anniversary preparations, please email the event team at olneyag250@yahoo.co.uk
Click here to listen to the choir sing Amazing Grace
Events held in 2022
Lecture on the hymn Amazing Grace's enduring legacy
July 15th 2022
A day to explore the origins, legacy and enduring popularity of ‘Amazing Grace.' You will be welcomed into the Church of St Peter & St Paul – central to the story of John Newton, where he is commemorated in stained glass. More lecture details and booking information will follow.
Open University Lecture on Amazing Grace origins
July 16th 2022
This special day of lectures, hosted by The Open University, will explore how the hymn Amazing Grace originated, its legacy and why it has proved so enduring. As we get more information on the lecturers, break-out sessions and booking, these will feature here.
Amazing Grace Morning Service in John Newton's Church
January 1st 2023 at 10am to 11am
Why not join the 'Amazing Grace morning service' in John Newton's own church. It was here he held his morning service, the sermon for which the hymn 'Amazing Grace' was written. A unique experience marking the formal start of the 2023 anniversary year.
