You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

The Church By the Side of the Road

Representative Text

1 Thro' the mist of years I can seem to see
The church of my childhood days;
And it's mem'ries sweet, so with joy replete,
Shall live in my heart alway.

Chorus:
Then on memory's page I can see again,
The church by the side of the road;
And wherever I roam, it is guiding me home,
The church by the side of the road.

2 And the old, old songs that we used to sing,
I'm singing them o'er and o'er;
They give strength and cheer, when the clouds draw near,
And lead to the other shore. [Chorus]

3 At the place of pray'r, in that little church,
I knelt at my mother's side,
There the Lord I found, it is holy ground,
The One who for sinners died. [Chorus]

4 There's a hallowed spot 'neath the old pine tree,
Where mother was laid to rest;
What a joy 'twill be her dear face to see,
With Him that I love the best. [Chorus]

Source: Seth Parker's Hymnal #53

Author: W. C. Poole

William C. Poole was born and raised on a farm in Maryland. His parents belonged to the Methodist church. He graduated from Washington College and became a Methodist minister in Wilmington, Delaware area. He was pastor of McCabe Memorial, Richardson Park and other churches. In 1913 he was superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League of Delaware. He wrote about five hundred hymns. The writing was done as recreation and a diversion from his pastoral work. His goal in writing as well as in being a minister was to help people. Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company, 1916) Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Through the mist [of years] I can seem to see
Title: The Church By the Side of the Road
Author: W. C. Poole (1925)
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Then on memory's page I can see again
Publication Date: 1925
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 18 of 18)

Divine Praise #d159

Page Scan

Glad Gospel Songs #44

Gospel Crusade Hymns #d141

Gospel Crusade Hymns No. 2 #d65

Gospel Songs and Poems #d37

Page Scan

Hymns for Christian Youth #9

New Joy in Service Songs No. 5 #d107

Page Scan

New Songs for Service #44

TextAudioPage Scan

Praise and Worship Hymns #30

Page Scan

Premier Hymns #26

Rodeheaver's Gospel Solos and Duets No. 2 #44

TextPage Scan

Seth Parker's Hymnal #53

Seth Parker's Hymnal. 5th ed. #d168

Songs of Faith and Triumph Nos. 1, 2 and 3 Combined #d281

Page Scan

The Gospel in Song #68

The King's Praise ... a General Purpose Song Book #d217

Page Scan

Women's New Gospel Quartets #16

Page Scan

Worship and Praise #21

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.