Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (August 18, 1856 - September 14, 1932)

Charles Hutchinson Gabriel was born on a farm in Iowa just a few years before the commencement of the Civil War. His family owned a reed organ, which a teen-aged Gabriel taught himself to play.

He launched out on his own when he was seventeen and began organizing singing schools, eventually settling in San Francisco, California where he led music at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church from 1900-1902. In time, he became an accomplished writer of hymns and Sunday School songs. It was during his tenure in San Francisco that he wrote the popular evangelistic hymn "Send The Light." In 1912, Gabriel began working with Homer Rodeheaver's publishing company in Chicago, Illinois.

It is estimated that Gabriel wrote between 7000 and 8000 songs in his lifetime. In addition to publishing works under his own name, he also published pseudonymous titles under the names Charlotte G. Homer, H. A. Henry, S. B. Jackson, and possibly more.

It is Gabriel's hymns for which he is most remembered. "Brighten The Corner," "His Eye Is On The Sparrow," and "My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me" are just a few of the titles that have been recorded down through the years by many Southern Gospel artists.

Awards

GMA Hall Of Fame (1982)

Songwriter's Résumé

(Partial List)

An Evening Prayer
Brighten The Corner
Higher Ground
His Eye Is On The Sparrow
I Stand Amazed
My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me
My Savior's Love
Send The Light
Since Jesus Came Into My Heart
Tell Someone About Jesus