Samuel Sebastian Wesley was born in 1810. He was the grandson of Charles Wesley, the famous hymn writer and co-founder of the Methodist Church. Samuel himself is considered one of the most important church musicians of the 19th Century. It is said that his fingers and feet moved so swiftly as he played the organ that people would crowd round him just to watch.

Before Samuel embarked on his career as a cathedral organist and composer, he was appointed organist of St Giles on the 8th of January, 1829. He stayed at Camberwell for nearly four years and by all accounts he was very happy here. He even returned several years later to design the current organ and played at the opening recital.

Throughout his life, Samuel wrote 39 anthems and introits, 12 service settings, 182 hymn tunes and more than 75 solo, choral and instruments works. His hymn tunes include those written for God is love let heaven adore him, O thou who camest from above and the Church's foundation.