Beloved hymn writer Isaac Watts was honoured on his 350th birthday with a special service at his final resting place in Bunhill Fields.

Best known for songs such as "Joy to the World" and "Jesus shall Reign Where’er the sun," Watts’ mark on the world of Christian music has been long-lasting and transformative.

The intimate service was organised by Rev and held on July 17.

Tony Franklin-Ross, chairperson on Ecumenical Relationships for the World Methodist Council.

Attended by clerics connected with Wesley’s Chapel & Leysian Mission, flowers were placed on Watts’ tomb, marking appreciation from all churches influenced by his contributions.

Watts introduced the novel concept of singing non-biblical hymns during church services.

His reinterpretations of the Psalms not only improved their musicality in English but also infused New Testament ideas into the Psalms.

Today, hymns addressing Christian life and faith in God, uncommon in the 17th century, are now a standard feature in church services worldwide.

His work was greatly admired by fellow hymn writers, John and Charles Wesley, founders of Methodism.

All three shared a mutual respect for their contribution to the gospel and incorporated each other’s work into their sermons.

Held with permission from the City of London Corporation which manages Bunhill Fields, this tribute took place at Watts’ normally inaccessible tomb.

Bunhill Fields served as a non-conformist burial ground from 1665 to 1854 housing over 123,000 bodies.

The event comes after the statue of Isaac Watts in Watts Park was refurbished in for an anniversary event with music, poems and drama.

Born on July 17, 1674, Watts was a resident of London, educated at the Dissenting Academy in Stoke Newington.

Upon his father’s challenge to improve the standard of church singing, Watts wrote hymns which have now been translated into many languages and are celebrated worldwide.

Bernard Manning, the Congregationalist Scholar said: "No one can read Watts without having Wesley in mind, and nothing will enable a man to see the greatness of Watts's hymns so well as a thorough knowledge of Wesley's."