Old-time Church Music in the Missouri Ozarks
Since the earliest days of the first pioneers, the southwest Missouri Ozarks region is characterized by a strong presence of old-time churches, reflecting the religious and cultural values of local communities.
Many denominations have had a presence in the Ozarks, including Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, and others.
Churches have long played a central role in the lives of Ozarks' communities, providing not only spiritual guidance but also serving as social and community centers.
Old-time church services in the Ozarks often involved a mix of preaching, singing of hymns, prayer, and testimonies.
The music was typically traditional and included hymns and spiritual songs. These hymns were often sung a cappella or accompanied by simple instruments such as the guitar or piano.
Please explore the beautiful 140+ church hymns on this page. These tunes were collected by Lonnie and Thelma Roberson as they performed professionally throughout in churches and radio services throughout the region during the 1930s-1950s.
These hymn-books were digitized, the sheet music sampled, and the web page built in 2023. Enjoy and imagine the past through this music.
Special thanks to the Lonnie and Thelma Robertson family, Diana Robertson, Tara Robertson, Dr. Kathleen Hood, Caden Potter, Mike @ DigitalArtsPlus.com
OZARKS HYMN BOOKS
PLAYLIST
A
B
C
D
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
W
Y
GALLERY
