Ernest Frank McGregor

Ernest Frank McGregor was an American Congregational minister, scholar, and hymn writer. Born in Alexandria, New Hampshire, in 1879, he earned a B.A. from the University of Minnesota in 1901, a B.D. from Yale in 1904, an M.A. in 1906, and a Ph.D. in 1910. His doctoral work examined marriage and family life among the early Hebrews, reflecting the biblical and social-historical interests that accompanied his pastoral ministry.

McGregor was ordained at the Congregational church in Avon, Connecticut, in 1904, served there until 1907, ministered in Clinton from 1907 to 1912, and then led First Congregational Church in Norwalk from 1912 until retirement in 1943. Yale’s obituary record also documents long service with the Connecticut Prison Association, leadership in Congregational pastoral-supply work, YMCA religious work during World War I, and chaplain-related service during World War II.

McGregor wrote several hymns for church use, including “O Blessed Day of Motherhood” and “Lift High the Triumph Song Today.” The latter was copyrighted in 1932 and entered Methodist hymnody soon afterward, showing how his pastoral and biblical interests extended into congregational song.