Federal Street Hymn
From Salem Links and Lore
- The hymn, Federal Street, was composed by Henry Kemble Oliver,(1800-1885) of Salem. He taught school in Salem from 1818-1842, and played organ first at St. Peter's Church and later at North Church.
- After periods in Lawrence, Mass. and a stint as state treasurer during the Civil War, he returned and was elected mayor of Salem for four years.
- He started two musical organizations in Salem, the Mozart Association and the Salem Glee Club. His collection of Original Hymn Tunes came out in 1875. He also published a Collection of Church Music (1860) and the National Lyre (1848).
- The hymn was named after the street in Salem which his wife Sally (Cook) had grown up on.
See Also
Essex Institute Historical Collection "origin of the hymn-tune Federal Street] Vol. 49, p. 184 American Hymns Old and New by Charles W. Hughes, p. 505.
Vertical File in Salem Collection - Federal Street Hymn
