USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > Centennial services of Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Delaware, October 13-20, 1889 > Part 23
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Epworth and Madeley . 13,750 00
Epworth and Madeley Building 8,000 00
Expenses of Sunday-schools 11,400 00
Presiding Elders
4,832 00
$91,682 00
Foreign Missionary, Church
10,250 80
Sunday-school 42,978 48
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society
4,141 31
Home Missionary Society, four years 914 00
Domestic Missions, three years .
158 00
$58,442 59
Other Conference collections .
$19,280 54
Recapitulation:
For salaries, etc
$91,682 00
Missions . . . 58,442 59
Conference collection
19,280 54
$169,405 13
These figures do not include collections made for the sufferers of the Chicago fire, yellow fever sufferers, Charleston earthquake, and Johnstown disaster. Nor do they include church expenses, such as sexton's salary, light, fuel, etc., rent of parsonage (some $15,000), interest on bond and mortgage.
This sketch, imperfect as it is, would not be complete without mention being made of "Epworth" and "Madeley" churches.
Epworth had its origin in St. Paul's, in 1863, was adopted by Grace upon the separation, and has had the care and responsibility of the church, from that time until early in the present year, when the Sunday-school Union made a deed for the property to the trustees of Epworth, and they assumed full control. We bid thein God speed.
Being imbued with the missionary spirit and zeal in the Sunday- school cause, some of our members felt called of God to go out and established a mission on the South Side, which resulted in the organiza- tion of Madeley Sunday-school, April 20, 1371, with C. F. Rudolph as superintendent.
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ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
The following named, who were identified with thenew church enterprise in the beginning and held official positions, have since died: Dr. Geo. Pepper Norris, R. Emmett Robinson, S. M. Harrington, ยท Delaplain McDaniel, George W. Sparks, Daniel M. Bates, Edward Moore, Jarrett Megaw, L. F. Riddle, John Merrick. And we may also add the names of Bishops Simpson and Ames.
The pastors of Grace have been:
1866-67, Rev. W. J. Stevenson; 1868-69-70, Rev. Alfred Cookman; 1871-72, Rev. Jacob Todd; 1873, Rev. L. C. Matlack, D. D .; 1874- 75-76, Rev. Joseph E. Smith; 1877-78-79, Rev. W. J. Stevenson, D. D .; 1880-81-82, Rev. G. W. Miller; 1883-84-85, Rev. J. R. Boyle, D. D .; 1886-87-88-89, Rev. Jacob Todd, D. D., the present acceptable incumbent.
The membership of the church at present is 510; officers and teachers of Sunday-school, 78; scholars, 730. All the services of the church are well attended, and the Sunday-school, under the superin- tendency of Wm. H. Curry, is in a flourishing condition.
It is impossible, in the time allotted me, to make mention of the good work done in these years by the faithful ministers of God who have served the church, and who have labored so assiduously for the building up of God's kingdom, and of the members who so faithfully held up their hands.
God has graciously blessed our efforts as put forth in every direc- tion of church work.
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History of Madeley Methodist Epis- copal Church.
BY THE REV. H. W. EWING, PASTOR.
This historical sketch will be brief, for two reasons. First, the time given for its delivery is limited. Second, and chief, the available facts are few. Records of this organization were no doubt made, but unfortunately very few have been preserved. It has a history, indeed, but most of it must remain unwritten. Had the keepers of the records known that the facts connected with this church would be in demand during such an important event as the "Asbury Centennial," they no doubt would have been more careful in preserving the records. Bnt prescience is not given to mortals.
The part of the city lying east and south of the Christiana Creek, familiarly known as "South Wilmington," had been long neglected by the religious people of the more favored part of the city. The people, and especially the children, were rapidly approaching a state of semi-heathenism. The preacher who went over that way on a cer- tain Sunday afternoon to preach or arrange for a Sunday-school service, finding his congregation not very large, thought to swell the numbers by hunting the by-ways and hedges, and thus fulfilling the command of scripture and compelling them to come in. On looking around for some additional recruits his eyes fell upon some boys hiding behind a hedge fence. The genial gentleman approached them with the landable purpose of persuading them to attend the service, but scarcely was he in speaking distance of them, when they bounded away across the vacant lots like deer upon their native heath.
If we can place confidence in common report, no place in the State of Delaware needed the civilizing influences of a Sunday-school
REV. H. W. EWING,
Pastor of Madeley Methodist Episcopal Church.
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ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
more than this, and be it said to the praise of the faithful and zealous workers in their field, no place in the city has brought larger returns ; for we have to-day as orderly and as intelligent a school as can be found in any of the suburban churches of the city. Perhaps no certain date can be given as to the beginning of the Sunday-school work in this part of the city. Asbury, ever fruitful in good works, claims to have been the first to establish a Sunday-school here. Accordingly the following persons, Caroline Jones, Ann G. Perkins, Levinia Tubbs, Thomas Houpt and Mary Pennell, commenced the work. But I have been unable to discover the date of its inception, how long continued, or how successful it proved. An entry is found upon the records of that church to the effort that a proposition had been made to them by certain members of Grace Church offering to take the Sunday-school work in the "South Side" off their hands. The pro- position was accepted by them and the work transferred to the tender mercies of Grace Church. And here the record begins. The opening exercises of the school, as undertaken by these laborers from Grace. were held in a tent erected for that purpose on a vacant lot situated at the juuction of Claymont and B streets, on Easter Sunday, April 9. 1871. Surely a fitting day for the inception of a work which has resulted in the resurrection of multitudes of precious souls from a life of sin into a life of righteousness. These services were under the directions of Rev. H. H. Davis, who was then acting as pastor of Epworth Chapel, the first offspring of Grace Sunday-school Union.
The tent erected for these services could not withstand the fury of the wind, and the young school was soon without a home and shelter. But the old saying is a true one, "It is an ill wind that blows nobody good," for it was the means of securing better quarters for the school. A force of workinen, under the efficient direction of the Jackson & Sharp Company, went to work vigorously. and a small chapel was erected on this same lot in the short space of three days. The first service in this chapel was held April 23, 1871, in charge of C. F. Rudolph. There were no sash in the windows, and Brother Rudolph reports that although the bitter cold wind was driving through the open windows, compelling him and the other teachers to button closely their heavy overcoats, the children, some of whom were very scantily clad, did not seem to mind the cold in the least, so eager were they to attend Sunday-school. Thus was the school in a fair way to succeed. At a meeting of the Grace Sunday-school Union, held in the chapel of Grace Church, Wednesday evening, April 5, 1871, a committee pre- viously appointed to consider the "advisibility of building a chapel over Third street bridge, reported through its chairman. Mr. Job H.
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CENTENNIAL EXERCISES
Jackson, that land owners in that vicinity had donated a lot, and that another adjacent lot had been secured upon which to build the chapel." He also reported that residents of that community had agreed to raise $1,500 toward the enterprise, provided the Sunday-school Union would do the same. The lot secured cost $250, and the estimated cost of the building was $6,000; but before it was finished the advance in the price of building materials increased the cost to $8,000. Of this amount $5,000 was raised and paid chiefly through the efforts of the efficient superintendent of the Sunday-school, C. F. Rudolph.
At a special meeting of the Sunday-school Union, held some time between June 6, 1872, and September 5 of the same year, the plans submitted by the building committee of which Job H. Jackson was chairman, were adopted and the building ordered.
The first chapel which was erected in April, 1871, was sold to the colored people, and the corner-stone of the new one was laid with appropriate ceremonies in the month of August, 1872, and the build- ing was dedicated December 29, 1872, by Dr. J. W. Stevenson. To Dr. J. W. Stevenson belongs the honor of suggesting that the name of the new church should be "Madeley," named, no doubt, for the parish in England where the great and saintly Fletcher labored in the Lord's vineyard.
The Rev. H. H. Davis acted as the first pastor of the new society before the present building was erected, and while they were yet worshiping in the tent and small chapel.
The Rev. Thos. F. Plummer succeeded him, but served only a short time. On May 30, 1872, before the corner-stone of the present building was laid, the Rev. I. N. Foreman, a local preacher, became the pastor, and continued to act in that capacity till March, 1875. Brother Foreman reports his first congregation as consisting of eight persons, two of whom were members of Grace Church, viz: Brother Stimmel and Dr. Shelp. The only full members of this church to greet their new pastor were Ephraim Start and his good wife. Mary A. Start. Thus Brother Foreman started. It appears that under the labors of the former pastor a class of thirty probationers had been received, but only nine of these could be found and only six of the nine were recom- mended for full membership. Thus with eight full members and three probationers-eleven in all-this young society started out on its checkered journey.
After a very successful pastorate of nearly three years, Brother Foreman was succeeded, in March, 1875, by Rev. A. D. Davis, now a veteran in the Lord's army, who also had charge of Epworth at the same time.
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ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In the spring of 1876 Rev. J. E. Mowbray was appointed pastor. and it is reported that large congregations attended his ministry and many persons professed conversion.
From 1878-80 the Rev. David Dodd was the pastor. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. T. A. H. O'Brien, under whose supervision the church building was frescoed and otherwise improved. There was also quite a large ingathering of souls during this pastorate.
From 1883-87 the charge was served by Rev. B. F. Price, under whose management the chapel was changed into a regular church organization with a quarterly conference of its own.
In March, 1887, the writer of this sketch became pastor, and so remains until this day.
I have thus briefly given the history of the founding of this church, and of the men who have served it as pastors : but its history would be very incomplete were I to neglect to mention the mien who have been the superintendents of the Sunday-school, and the faithful teachers who here imparted instruction from the word of life. As already mentioned, Mr. C. F. Rudolph was the first superin- tendent, and held the position for a period of ten years. In that time he did a great work, sparing neither time nor money in mak- ing the school a success, therefore he had the joy of seeing the "pleasure of the Lord prospering in his hands." Resigning to take charge of the afternoon school of Grace Church, he was follow- ed by H. C. Conrad, Esq., who labored faithfully for a period of five years. He was in turn succeeded by John S. Mullin who still acts in th it capacity, giving liberally of his time and money for the siccess of the school. Under these men, faithful teachers, members of the society, and from the other churches in the city, have labored earnestly, and the good seed thus sown has already produced an abundant harvest, the full extent of which can only be made known in the day when all things shall be revealed. During the entire history of this enterprise the Sunday-school Union of Grace Church has been its financial strength, having, during the entire period of the society's existence, paid the pastor's salary in full or in part, and at the same time contributed largely to the other run - ning expenses of the church.
There have been dark times in the history of this organization. The hopes of its founders were not always fully met, and in the records of the Sunday-school Union, we find steps being taken at one time toward the refusal of any more money for the preacher's salary, but happily the resolution was not passed. So dark indeed was the outlook at one time, that one member of the Sunday-school Union suggested that "Madeley was not fit to be an independent charge, and that the
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Sunday-school Union ought to be rid of it, and of the expense attached to it." But other opinions and feelings prevailed, and the Sunday- school Union still continues to give nobly to the help of this charge.
As has been justly remarked by one who has watched the growth and has been familiar with the history of this church, Madeley does not get the credit for the real work that has been done by her. Per- haps more than any other church in the city, because of her location, and because of the physicians, Madeley has been crippled time and again by the exodus of her membership. They have come and gone like the birds with the seasons. Under the most careful and earnest pastors the work has not grown, from the simple fact that the people who once belonged to her have not remained within reach of the church. We, therefore, cannot measure the success of the church in these past years by her numerical strength now. Many who have been converted there found a church-home in other places, and till the roll of the finally faithful is called, we will not be able to estimate the extent of her usefulness.
It may be proper to state here, in a few words, her present condi- tion. There is a membership, including probationers, of two hundred and thirty persons.
One interesting fact connected with the present pastorate may not be overlooked. Being called one day, soon after my appointment, to visit an aged sick man, I was surprised to learn that he was a grand- son of the famous Benjamin Abbott. He was seventy-six years of age. and had up till that time neglected to seek the God of his fathers. But he was an earnest inquirer, and in a short time was soundly and happily converted to God. He joined the church, and though too feeble to be present at that time, lived long enough to be admitted into the church as a full member before he was translated to the chureli above, which event occurred June 23, 1889. His widow, a grand daughter, and a grandson, are the only representatives of the name remaining in the church at this time.
The oldest member of this church is Mrs. Elizabeth Powell, now in her ninety-eighth year, who eighty years ago, in England, gave her heart to God, and her name to the Methodis. Church. She is still remarkably active in all church work, visiting the sick, exhorting the ungodly, and attending almost every service of the church.
In conclusion, let us hope that while the history of the church has been a varied one, success and failure alternating often in quick suc- cession, the future may be a glorious one for God and mankind. And when the Centennial of Madeley shall have been celebrated, may she be found to be the mother of as many, and as thrifty children as the grand old church whose Centennial we now celebrate.
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ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
History of Haven Chapel.
BY THE REV. JAS. H. SCOTT, PASTOR.
Haven Chapel is a granddaughter of Asbury by her eldest daughter, Ezion.
She was born in the year of 1869 in this wise :
In a part of Wilmington, lying along the P., W. & B. R. R., com- monly known as Browntown, there was a settlement of colored people, most of whom hailed from the lower counties of Delaware and the Eastern Shore, Maryland. They were not the cream of the race.
This region was notorious for its gamblers, drunkards and low women. Like Nazareth, it was wicked to a proverb.
It might well have been asked "Can any good thing come out of Browntown ?"
Rev. Charles Smith, then exhorter of Ezion, noticing the great number of children in Browntown, with no religious instruction, run- ning the streets on the Sabbath day, began to urge the people to send their children to Sunday-school. Like those bidden to the marriage supper, they began to make excuses; the most striking of which were: Ezion school was too far off, and they were unable to dress their children suitably to send them.
He then inquired how they would like to have a Sunday-school in their midst. One very wicked old man said: "I know I am no meetin' man, but I appreciate meetin' people. I haven't many things in my house. You can have a room there to hold your school in if you mind to." His offer was accepted and the school was started with good results. Soon was needed and obtained an additional room. Several members of Ezion volunteered and came to the founder's assistance. So the school grew and prospered.
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Brother Smith, true to his calling as an exhorter, began to sigh for a prayer meeting. He asked some of the brethren of Ezion to come over and help him pray for these people. They responded readily, and God began to pour out of His spirit upon them. Sinners were converted and great interest was manifested. Some who hardly knew what a church meant attended these meeting.
Brother Smith, jubilant over the success the effort was obtaining, commenced agitating the notion of building a chapel in Browntown. The advice of Bro. Abraham Murray, the then leading laymen of Ezion, was sought. As the result, Rev. J. D. Elbert, then pastor of Ezion, organized a mission of twenty members. Efforts were imme- diately put forth to erect a suitable building.
Dr. Brown, who owned considerable real estate in this section and in honor of whom the region took its name, was much pleased with the idea of establishing a chapel among these people. He remarked, if ever a church was needed anywhere, it was needed in Browntown. He, therefore, offered to sell them a piece of ground on favorable terms.
The trustees of Ezion accepted the offer and secured an old colored man named Peter Smith, a resident of that neighborhood, to build the chapel.
Soon there was a building in Browntown dedicated to the service of the Lord, bearing the name of Mt. Zion M. E. Chapel.
The mission immediately entered on a life of prosperity. Hard old sinners were brought to the feet of Jesus, some of whom have died in the triumph of faith ; others have proclaimed the glad tidings of redemption ; others are still among the rank and file of the militant hosts of God. It can be truly said of this chapel: "This and that man was born in her."
Rev. Elias Williams a local preacher connected with our church at Newport, Delaware, was first to have charge of the chapel under the appointment of the pastor of Ezion. Joseph Williams, still a member of Haven, was the first class leader and continued to fill that office till recently disabled by ill health. Absalom Caulk, now exhorter at Haven, was among the leading lights of the organization.
The chapel continued connected with Ezion as a mission until 1876, when it was organized into a circuit with Whittington Chapel. Rev. Wm. Holland was the first pastor appointed by the Delaware Conference. During his administration the church prospered spirit- ually and a few were added.
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ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In 1877 Rev. I. H. White, now Presiding Elder of Salisbury Dis- trict. of the Delaware Conference, was appointed. Simpson Church, Newport, had now been added to the circuit. Rev. White continued pastor two years, and was particularly successful in strengthening the organization financially. He was succeeded in 1879 by Rev. T. M. Hubbard. In this year the trustees of Ezion sold the church at Browntown to the P., W. & B. R. R., as the tracks of the company were being laid uncomfortably near the chapel. They purchased the present site on West Third street, between DuPont and Scott streets, and built under the supervision of the late Dr. Wm. F. Butler, pastor of Ezion, the present building.
The name was now changed to Haven, in honor of the late Bishop Gilbert Haven, and in appreciation of his noble efforts for the elevation of the people of color.
The chapel now being situated in a growing colored settlement began a new life of prosperity. In 1881 Rev. Hubbard, having com- pleted a pastorate of two years, was succeeded by Rev. Harrison D. Webb, who served a term of two years. July 5. 1882, the chapel was turned over to a board of trustees selected from among the members of Haven by the trustees of Ezion in consideration of the payment of $200.
Rev. J. J. Campbell was appointed in 1883 and served a term of one year. In this year a front gallery was built to the chapel, and a fine six room parsonage adjoining the church was erected.
In 1884 the Rev. Dr. W. F. Butler was appointed, but owing to disease of the brain was unable to finish his year out. Father Joshua Brinkly, a superannuate, completed the year.
Rev. D. A. Ridout became in 1885 pastor and proved himself a successful organizer and driller of the people. The benevolent collec- tions were increased, being taken the first part of the Conference year. Business-like methods introduced in the boards that have greatly increased the usefulness of Haven Chapel.
After a successful pastorate of three years, Rev. Ridout was suc- ceeded by the writer, who was appointed in 1888.
There are now 65 members and a Sunday-school numbering 100. The present board of trustees are James Whartonberry, president; Ellis Jefferson, secretary; Moses Nichols, L. H. Collins, J. H. Woodlen, James Lewis, Ezekiel Townsend, Philip Garrison and Win. Price.
Haven is a frame building in need of repairs, which we are now planning to have speedily done. She is, however, spiritually alive. Having heard the order, "Go forward." from the Captain of our salva-
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CENTENNIAL EXERCISES
tion, her soldiers are pressing onward, bearing aloft the gospel banner. Hearing the sound of the gospel bugle, they have buckled on the armor of God and are charging against intemperance, Sabbath desecra- tion, worldliness, yea, immorality of every kind. Haven intends to march and fight with the militant church of God against the foes of the Lord's annointed till she shall be mustered into the triumphant army of heaven.
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ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The History of Kingswood Methodist Episcopal Church.
BV THE REV. R. IRVING WATKINS, PASTOR.
The history of Kingswood Church is so closely connected with that of its Sunday-school, that to give the one is essentially to give the other. The church is the natural outgrowth of the school.
Prior to 1872 there was comparatively little to attract the atten- tion of the church on the east side of Eleventh street bridge. True, Father Taylor preached to those who gathered at a point, now known as the S. W. corner of Thirteenth and Forrest streets ; and afterwards, under the "shady maples," not far distant, he. with simple earnestness, preached the Gospel to the masses.
A true itinerant was he, having the Methodistic standards as his guides ; and realizing that "the field is the world," he entered its wide domain to seek some soil into which Methodist seed might be planted.
What has been the harvest ? An answer is attempted. About the first of May, 1672, there lived on Forrest street a godly couple, Wm. and Alice Rinker, members at that time, of Brandywine M. E. Church.
Sister Rinker, seeing the children running around the streets on Sunday, and feeling the necessity of their being instructed in Bible truth, conceived the idea of gathering them into her home on Sunday afternoons, and teaching them the lessons of scripture.
With true Methodist zeal, she collected eight scholars, and with the assistance of several good neighbors, began a Sunday-school. This was the nucleus from which the church has grown.
In a short time the room was too small to hold those who came to
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be taught, and two rooms became necessary. Meanwhile the interest was increasing, and Brother and Sister Rinker moving from that part of the town, it was necessary to change quarters. This was done, and the scholars entered the home of Wesley Beerbrower, next door, and continued to grow.
At Christmas, the records tell us, the children were given a jubilee under the direction of Esther Bangs. This proved to be a success, and now the school was formerly organized under the name of East Wilmington Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school, having the following officers and teachers : superintendent, Alice Rinker ; secre- tary and treasurer, Eli Bangs ; musical director, Esther Bangs ; teachers, Wesley Beerbrower and wife, and Wm. Rinker.
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