Further to Date: 01 Jan 23 - 04:33 AM 250 years of AMAZING GRACE. The hymn was written for a New Year service in 1773.

The Earl of Dartmouth had a substantial country seat at Sandwell Hall in the Midlands, demolished in 1828. He also had a London townhouse at Blackheath. With all his other properties, he had no need of the Olney Great House, standing behind the churchyard by the river. Rev John Newton was therefore able to have the use of it for his Sunday schools and prayer meetings. Both Cowper and Newton wrote hymns for the occasion when in 1769 the Tuesday payer meeting for adults was moving into the largest room in the Great House. Jesus, where’er thy people meet’ written by Cowper and ‘On Opening a Place for Social Prayer’ by Newton. Cowper and Newton Museum

It was January 1, 1773. John Newton led his congregation down the road from the parish church in Olney, England, to Lord Dartmouth’s Great Hall to sing “new” music not traditionally allowed by the Anglican Church. Newton loved to write hymns and poetry, and the hymn he wrote for this day was special. It spoke of his conversion, of his self-proclaimed wretchedness, and of the saving power of God’s grace. Since then, the words of “Amazing Grace” have struck a chord with millions across cultures and generations, and its popularity has never wavered.
https://www.museumofthebible.org/magazine/exhibitions/celebrating-250-years-of-amazing-grace

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Link to post above by henryp AMAZING GRACE