Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Lowell Mason
(1792 - 1872)
A native of New England, Mason moved to Savannah at the age of twenty. He resided in this city for approximately fifteen years until his return to Massachusetts in 1827. He was active in the civic and religious life of his adopted city. He served as Secretary of the Savannah Missionary Society; was an active organizer of a school for the instruction of sacred music, and was Superintendent of the inter-denominational Savannah Sabbath School.
While Mason was the organist of the Independent Presbyterian Church, he set to music Bishop Reginald Heber's hymn, "From Greenland's Icy Mountains." In the church that then stood on this site the now famous hymn was sung in 1824 for the first time.
Among later well known compositions by Mason was the music for the great hymns, "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" and "Nearer, My god, to Thee."
Erected 1955 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 025-36.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.
Location. 32° 4.601′ N, 81° 5.585′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. Marker is on Bull Street near Oglerthorpe Street, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Independent Presbyterian Church (a few steps from this marker); Original 1733 Burial Plot (a few steps from this marker); Birthplace of Juliette Low (within shouting distance of this marker); "Tyrants Fall In Every Foe Liberty's In Every Blow" (within shouting distance of this marker); James Moore Wayne, 1790-1867 (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Wm. A. Caruthers (1802-46) (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Presbyterian Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Also see . . . Lowell Mason. Mason spent the first part of his adulthood in Savannah, Georgia, where he worked first in a dry-goods store, then in a bank. (Submitted on February 22, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,089 times since then and 118 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 22, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.