65-year-old hymnal grows in popularity across the South

"The Church Hymnal" was dubbed the Red-Back Hymnal due to its maroon hardback cover. "The Church Hymnal" was dubbed the Red-Back Hymnal due to its maroon hardback cover.

By Susan Pierce September 10, 2016 6 min read

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Red-Back Hymnal returns: Well-known book of hymns grows in popularity across the South

Ginger Wyly plays piano during a hymn singing at the Little Brown Church on Signal Mountain.

Chris Brown reads from the Red-Back Hymnal.

Mike Harvey joins in the singing at the Little Brown Church.

Yvonne Harvey, Judy Cantrell, Wayne Hartman and Charlotte Harvey, from left, join in the hymn singing at Little Brown Church on Signal Mountain.

Kelley Hayton, left, and Steve Hayton, right, sing with their daughter Kara during a Hymn Sing at the Little Brown Church on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Signal Mountain, Tenn.

A singer raises her hand in praise during the hymn singing at Little Brown Church on Signal Mountain.

People sing during a Hymn Sing at the Little Brown Church on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Signal Mountain, Tenn.

Mike Harvey leads a hymn during a Hymn Sing at the Little Brown Church on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Signal Mountain, Tenn.

If you go

› What: Red-Back Hymnal Singing at Hullender Farm› Where: 10944 London Lane, Apison, Tenn.› When: 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18› What: Red-Back Hymnal Singing at Little Brown Church› Where: 3209 Spring Ave., Signal Mountain› When: 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16

Red-Back Hymnal exhibits

A permanent exhibit acknowledging Cleveland, Tenn., as the birthplace of “The Church Hymnal” is located inside the Museum Center at Five Points, 200 E. Inman St., in Cleveland.“The Red Back: America’s Best-Loved Hymnal” shares the history of the hymnal from its first printing in Cleveland to its widespread adoption and continuing influence on Christian music. An interactive touchscreen offers commentary by local gospel musicians on the history of the Red-Back Hymnal and a listening station allows visitors to hear some of its famous songs.The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. Admission for nonmembers is $5 ages 6 and older.

On the 65th anniversary of its publishing, and 50 years after the peak of its popularity, a beloved hymnal is finding its way back into the hands of singers of all denominations.

Whether due to nostalgia of baby boomers or the novelty to millennials of singing harmony on church music, “The Church Hymnal ” – dubbed the Red-Back Hymnal due to its maroon hardback cover – is making a comeback.

Around the South, a growing number of interdenominational groups are gathering together to sing old favorites from the Red-Back. Although the hymnal is printed in shape notes – a type of musical notation designed to make it easier for congregational and community singing – these songfests are not shape-note singings as seen in the movie “Cold Mountain.” They are gospel gatherings, singing old hymns that have stood the test of time.