Hymn #395: In Christ There Is No East or West

John Oxenham (1852-1941) wrote this hymn as part of the libretto for the “Pageant of Darkness and Light,” which was performed during a missionary exhibition in London, England, in 1905. Oxenham had been asked to contribute music for the show by its organizer, who was his nephew.

John Oxenham was the pen name of an English businessman named William A. Dunkerley. His success in writing novels and religious works brought his other career to an end, and, beginning in 1913, he devoted all his time to his literary pursuits. He also wrote under the name Julian Ross.

Alexander Robert Reinagle (1799-1877) composed this tune as a solo setting for Psalm 118 when he was organist at St. Peter-in-the-East Church in Oxford, England. The tune appeared with the name ST. PETER in a collection published by the composer in 1840. It is also called OXFORD or CHRIST CHURCH.

Alexander R. Reinagle was born in Brighton, England, on August 21, 1799, to parents who were part of a famous musical family. For thirty-one years he served as organist at St. Peter-in-the East Church, Oxford, England, and gave organ lessons to the likes of John Stainer. Reinagle published two collections of hymn tunes and other sacred music.