
Pam Rhodes celebrates the 75th anniversary of one of the most cherished and popular hymns in the world, How Great Thou Art, and explores the extraordinary story behind its composition.\n\nMany might think the hymn is centuries old, but although it has its origins in older works from across Europe, the version we know and love today was first published in 1949 by English missionary Stuart Hine. In the tiny south London church where it was first sung, Pam learns the complicated history of the hymn from Jonathan Clark, a family friend of Stuart's.\n\nAt the Salvation Army’s Regent Hall, Pam meets Phil Loose from the Stuart Hine Trust to explore why this combination of words and music continue to have such impact around the world. Phil introduces an updated version of How Great Thou Art, including a new verse, recorded to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its composition by some of the world’s top Christian artists, including the acclaimed Matt Redman. \n\nAnd in Oxford, we hear about the great history and work of Wycliffe Bible Translators, one of the charities supported by the royalties generated by How Great Thou Art, who help millions of people globally by translating the Bible into their native language. \n\nWith songs and hymns inspired by How Great Thou Art, including some rousing renditions of the hymn itself. \n\nMUSIC\n1.\tHow Great Thou Art – Pershore Abbey led by Katherine Jenkins\n2.\tHow Great Is Our God – Kensington Temple\n3.\tLord for the Years – Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh\n4.\tWhen I Survey The Wondrous Cross – Katy Treharne\n5.\tWe Have a Gospel to Proclaim – Salisbury Cathedral\n6.\tHow Great Thou Art – Guildhall, Londonderry
Source: BBC 1
Advent Hope
On Advent Sunday, Sean Fletcher begins a series of programmes exploring some of the themes of the Advent season, beginning with stories and hymns celebrating hope. \n\nSean mee ...
30-11-2025
BBC 1
The Big School Assembly Singalong
Aled Jones and Kate Bottley host a joyful singalong of school assembly hymns from Victoria Hall, Bolton.\n\nTens of thousands of votes were cast to find the nation’s favou ...
23-11-2025
BBC 1
Bear Grylls's Faith Journey
Sean Fletcher is in London to meet world-renowned adventurer, TV star and best-selling author Bear Grylls, who reflects upon his faith and favourite hymns. \n\nWhilst Bear is of ...
16-11-2025
BBC 1
Remembrance Sunday
Aled Jones visits Aldershot Garrison, known as the home of the British Army, to mark Remembrance Sunday and to hear stories of faith, courage and thanksgiving. \n\nAt the Cathed ...
09-11-2025
BBC 1
All Souls' Day
All Souls’ Day is traditionally a time in the church calendar dedicated to remembering those who have died, and on this Sunday, the Rev Kate Bottley visits Christians in t ...
02-11-2025
BBC 1
Muyiwa Olarewaju's Faith Journey
Sean Fletcher is in London to join singer, songwriter, broadcaster and Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year judge Muyiwa Olarewaju to learn about his extraordinary and eye-o ...
26-10-2025
BBC 1
1700 Years Of The Nicene Creed
Pam Rhodes celebrates the 1700-year anniversary of the Nicene Creed and explores why this ancient declaration of beliefs is so important in the history of Christianity. \n\nAt t ...
19-10-2025
BBC 1
Young Chorister Of The Year - Final
Aled Jones and the Rev Kate Bottley host the final of BBC Young Chorister of the Year from Hallé St Peter’s in Manchester. Three junior choristers aged 11 to 13 and ...
12-10-2025
BBC 1
Young Chorister Of The Year - Junior Semi-final
Aled Jones presents the junior semi-final of BBC Young Chorister of the Year from the prestigious Hallé St Peter’s in Manchester. Five singers aged 11 to 13 have be ...
05-10-2025
BBC 1
Young Chorister Of The Year - Senior Semi-final
Aled Jones presents the senior semi-final of BBC Young Chorister of the Year from the prestigious Hallé St Peter’s in Manchester. Five of the very best singers aged ...
28-09-2025
BBC 1
The Big School Assembly Singalong
Aled Jones and Kate Bottley host a joyful singalong of school assembly hymns from Victoria Hall, Bolton.\n\nTens of thousands of votes were cast to find the nation’s favou ...
23-11-2025
BBC 1
Bear Grylls's Faith Journey
Sean Fletcher is in London to meet world-renowned adventurer, TV star and best-selling author Bear Grylls, who reflects upon his faith and favourite hymns. \n\nWhilst Bear is of ...
16-11-2025
BBC 1
Young Chorister Of The Year - Final
Aled Jones and the Rev Kate Bottley host the final of BBC Young Chorister of the Year from Hallé St Peter’s in Manchester. Three junior choristers aged 11 to 13 and ...
12-10-2025
BBC 1
The Power Of Prayer
The Rev Kate Bottley is in Launde Abbey in Leicestershire to explore the power of prayer and reveals how more Christians are using apps and daily e-mails to help them worship. P ...
24-06-2018
BBC 1
Young Chorister Of The Year - Senior Semi-final
Aled Jones presents the senior semi-final of BBC Young Chorister of the Year from the prestigious Hallé St Peter’s in Manchester. Five of the very best singers aged ...
28-09-2025
BBC 1
Gospel Choir Of The Year
David Grant hosts the exciting climax of the Gospel Choir of the Year Competition 2018. Five of the best amateur choirs in the country return to the stage at The Albert Hall Not ...
25-11-2018
BBC 1
The Uk’s Favourite Carol
From the glorious surroundings of St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Aled Jones counts down the top ten carols, as voted for by viewers in a UK-wide online poll. With an array ...
20-12-2020
BBC 1
Remembrance Sunday
Katherine Jenkins marks Remembrance Sunday at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, the oldest air academy in the world. She meets cadets and the head padre to discover how remembrance ...
12-11-2023
BBC 1
Celebrating 60 Years
Marking the year Songs of Praise turns 60, Aled Jones celebrates at St George’s Chapel in Windsor with Christian stories that exemplify the spirit of the series. Aled and ...
24-01-2021
BBC 1
New Beginnings
The Rev Kate Bottley celebrates spring on a farm run by Christians in Derbyshire. Owners Roger and Beryl have offered a fresh start to local young people for 40 years by giving ...
18-03-2018
BBC 1