Famous People Connected to the Sanctuary on the Green
A Tradition of Musical Excellence
The historic Sanctuary on the Green in Bloomfield attracted not only the esteemed families who shaped the town’s early foundations but also three notable American musicians and composers who left an indelible mark on its storied legacy.
William Batchelder Bradbury (6 October 1816 – 7 January 1868)
Bradbury was an American musician and composer best known for his significant contributions to Christian hymnody during the 19th century. Bradbury was a prolific composer, with over 700 hymn tunes to his name.
His melodies, characterized by their simplicity and catchiness, became widely popular and are still sung in churches today. Bradbury’s most famous composition is the tune for the hymn “Jesus Loves Me,” which has become a beloved children’s hymn across the world.
Jesus Loves Me by the Manus Apertae Ensemble of the Holy Catholic Church of Saint Paul, Pireas, Greece
Charles Ives: A Good Dissonance Like A Man Directed by Theodor Timreck
Charles Edward Ives (20 October 1874-19 May 1954)
Charles Ives was an American composer and one of the most innovative figures in 20th-century music. Ives is known for his groundbreaking and experimental compositions that challenged traditional musical conventions. He embraced a unique approach known as “American experimentalism,” incorporating elements of folk, popular, and classical music into his works.
Ives’ compositions often featured complex polytonality, unconventional harmonies, and daring rhythmic structures. His music reflected the diverse and vibrant nature of American culture, drawing inspiration from everyday experiences, patriotic themes, and religious traditions.
Rev. George Duffield, Jr. (12 September 1818-6 July 1888)
Rev. George Duffield, Jr. was a distinguished Presbyterian minister and hymnodist. Graduating with honors from Yale College in 1837, he continued his theological pursuits at the esteemed Union Theological Seminary in New York. From 1840 to 1869, Duffield fulfilled his pastoral duties in various cities, including Bloomfield, New Jersey. It was during this period that Duffield’s unwavering commitment to the abolitionist movement and staunch dedication to the Union cause during the Civil War earned him recognition.
After the tragic loss of his esteemed colleague and friend, Rev. Dudley Atkins Tyng, Duffield found inspiration in Tyng’s final words: “Tell my brethren of the ministry, wherever you meet them, to stand up for Jesus.” These profound words resulted in Duffield’s composition of the hymn “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” in 1858. Its resonating message became an anthem for Union soldiers, who found courage in its empowering verses during the tumultuous era of the Civil War.