In 1998, the the Lilly Endowment, Inc. of Indianapolis awarded a major grant to the ISAE to initiate a three year-study of American Protestant Hymnody. Probably more than any other single source, hymns have played a central role in the devotional lives of American Protestants, opening a window on both the shared theology and the deepest emotions of the average person in the pews. Sadly, this central aspect of the American Protestant experience has been seriously under-studied by historians of American religion. The Hymnody in American Protestantism project hopes to begin remedying this situation.

In the Spring of 1998, the ISAE sponsored a grant competition which attracted approximately 450 inquiries and over 115 proposals. Thirty-seven scholars were selected in late July 1998 to receive grants and to present their findings at the May 17-20, 2000 public conference. To view a list of the scholars and their topics, click here.

Serving as "ground zero" for the project was the work of Stephen Marini (Wellesley College) whose research in compiling a list of the 300 most frequently-published American hymns is nearly complete. This combination "Canon/Billboard Top 300" served as a reference point for the competitive and commissioned grants which undergirded the public conference, May 17-20, 2000, as well as for the volume of essays currently being edited.

As part of the ISAE's recent project on American Protestant Hymnody, nine of America's leading arrangers of sacred music were commissioned to draw up a CD with exciting new choral arrangements of hymns. The CD, produced by Selah Publishing, features over 50 minutes of music that will be cherished by any lover of the great hymns of the church.

New 2004 Book from ISAE American Protestant Hymnody Project! Click here for more information!

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