John A. Gable reports that Theodore Roosevelt’s favorite hymn to sing in church was most likely “How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord.” Gable quotes a letter in which Roosevelt cites the hymn as one of his favorites, and he also quotes from William Allen White’s autobiography in which White recounts Roosevelt singing the hymn at a church service in Emporia, Kansas. Gable also notes the singing of the hymn at Christ Church in Oyster Bay, New York. 

 

The article includes the verses to “How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord” as well as two photographs of a lectern that Roosevelt donated to Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1996

Creator(s)

Gable, John A.

Language

English

Period

Theodore Roosevelt and Public Memory (1919-present)

Page Count

2

Production Method

Printed

Record Type

Image

Resource Type

Magazine article

Rights

No permission is required from the Theodore Roosevelt Association to use items in the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal collection for educational purposes. For permissions, contact William Tilchin at (516) 921-6319 or by email at wnt@bu.edu


Citation

Cite this Record

Chicago:

Theodore Roosevelt’s Favorite Hymns. [1996]. Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o307972. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

Gable, John A.. Theodore Roosevelt’s Favorite Hymns. [1996]. Image.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o307972.

APA:

Gable, John A.., [1996]. Theodore Roosevelt’s Favorite Hymns.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o307972.

Cite this Collection

Chicago:

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 29, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.

APA:

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.