Amazing Grace
This world-famous song was written in Olney in 1772 by John Newton, who while working on a slave ship had an epiphany and became a curate working to outlaw the slave trade.
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!
To mark the 250th anniversary of Amazing Grace, throughout 2023 there was a yearlong programme of exhibitions, talks, walks and cultural and community events led by the Cowper & Newton Museum and in collaboration with the Open University, Friends of the Caribbean, Stables music venue, African Diaspora Foundation, African and Caribbean Arts & Heritage Union, Milton Keynes Sierra Leone Community and the parish church of St Peter & St Paul, Olney.
We are delighted to share a link to this wonderful film to celebrate Amazing Grace 250