Preservationists given plaque for cabin

Preservationists honor Lambertville hymn writer Ina Duley Ogdon at her former cabin. THE BLADE Enlarge | Photo Reprints

LAMBERTVILLE -- Ina Duley Ogdon was a poet, hymn writer, volunteer, and Sunday school teacher who lived in Toledo and kept a summer homestead here that a group of Bedford Township preservationists consider a historic building.

Last week, these Century House Preservationists were presented with a precious artifact they plan to display at the cabin at 6829 Summerfield Rd. It's a plaque that for many years had been at Hampton Park Christian Church in West Toledo, where Mrs. Ogdon worshipped. She joined the church in 1950, the year after her husband, James, died, and the church took over her longtime place of worship, Norwood -- West End Church of Christ. Mrs. Ogdon died in 1964 at 92.

Hampton Park church had the plaque made as a homage to Mrs. Ogdon, who was well known for having penned the lyrics to "Brighten the Corner Where You Are," a hymn that gained international fame and was popularized by evangelist Billy Sunday. She wrote this song in the Lambertville cabin while caring for her ailing father in 1912. Many of her more than 3,000 hymns and poems were written at the Bedford summer residence, which is known variously as "the cabin," "the Ogdon House," or "the Century House."

"The Lord works in mysterious ways," said Trudy Urbani, who heads the preservationists. "We were delighted to receive this plaque, because discovering this long-lost treasure honoring the memory of Ina Duley Ogdon and 'Brighten the Corner Where You Are' was nothing short of a miracle."

The handover of the plaque took place last week in the Bedford RSVP offices on Sterns Road. Making the presentation on behalf of Hampton Park church were the pastor, the Rev. Sarah Richey, and Elder Deanna Farran.

The large plaque contains the lyrics to "Brighten the Corner Where You Are," penned by Mrs. Ogdon, and was placed in the church in 1964 after she died. The hymn begins:

Trudy Urbani, left, of the Century House Preservationists, accepts the plaque from Pastor Sarah Richey of Hampton Park Christian Church, center, and Deanna Farran, elder. The plaque bears a hymn written by Ina Duley Ogdon, 'Brighten the Corner Where You Are.' The plaque will be displayed in Mrs. Ogdon's Lambertville cabin. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,

Do not wait to shed your light afar,

To the many duties ever near you now be true,

Brighten the corner where you are.

Ms. Richey explained that over the years the plaque had been moved to an obscure part of the church and pretty much forgotten. It was being donated to the preservationist group, she said, because her congregation of 100 members is looking to downsize and has put the church building up for sale.

Mrs. Urbani said the plaque will be a fine addition to the cabin, which is closed and vacant except for a caretaker who lives in part of it, although it has been open for tours. The owner is former Bedford Township resident Jeffrey Guyton, who lives in New York City and teaches at Columbia University.

Other donors are giving an upright piano once owned by Mrs. Ogdon that will be delivered to the cabin, Mrs. Urbani said.

"The plaque has the music on it, and we'll put it near the piano so we can play it," she explained.