On January 15, 1702, Issac Watts was called as pastor of a church in Newington, England. However, Watts was not only a minister but also a prolific hymn writer. Among some of his most respected works are “Joy to the World,” “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” and “Marching to Zion.” In total, Watts authored an additional 515 hymns throughout his life. Interestingly, Watts and his father were “Non-Conformists,” meaning they refused to conform to the dictates of the Church of England. As a result, Watts was prohibited from attending the University of Oxford. The statue pictured here is the only statue of Isaac Watts in England.
