John Thomas Grape

John Thomas Grape was a Baltimore coal merchant, organist, choir director, Sunday school worker, and hymn-tune composer. Born in Baltimore in 1835, he was an active member of Monument Street Methodist Episcopal Church, where Elvina M. Hall also worshiped. Hymnary records that he played the organ, directed the choir, and participated in the Sunday school; he later directed the choir at Hartford Avenue Methodist Church.

Grape’s own account, preserved by Ira D. Sankey, gives unusual detail about the origin of ALL TO CHRIST. During alterations to his church, a cabinet organ was placed in his care, giving him opportunity to develop a musical theme that had been occupying his mind. He recalled that some choir members and friends considered the tune poor, while his wife insisted that it would endure. Pastor George W. Schreck later heard the piece and recognized that Hall’s previously written text suited it.

The paired text and tune were sung in Baltimore churches and then sent to Theodore E. Perkins, who included them in “Sabbath Carols” in 1868. ALL TO CHRIST became Grape’s principal surviving contribution to hymnody.