USA > Delaware > Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 1 > Part 20
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THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NEWARK was organized in August, 1839, by a committee of the Presbytery of New Castle. It was composed of nine members, principally from the churches of White Clay Creek and Head of Christiana. Col. Alexander Craw- ford and Mr. James McCullough were elected ruling elders. Rev. Alexander Hoberton was for a short time stated supply. Rev. Elijah Wilson commenced his labors in Newark, in connexion with Head of Christiana, in June, 1842, and on the 12th of October following was installed. He resigned in 1846. For the seven years following, the church was most of the time closed, having only occasional supplies.
On the first sabbath of Dec. 1853, Rev. James L. Vallandigham began his ministra- tions here and at White Clay Creek and Head of Christiana, and on the 4th of May follow- ing was installed pastor of the three churches. In Oct. 1860, he resigned this part of the charge in order to give the whole of his time to White Clay Creek and Head of Christiana. Rev. Sterling M. Galt was pastor from 1861 till his death, Oct. 1865 Rev. John Hamil- ton was elected pastor, Aug. 2, 1866, and re- signed March, 1870. During his pastorate arrangements were made for the erection of a new church edifice, and the work was com- menced. For some months the church was
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MILFORD was organized by a committee of the Presby- tery of Wilmington, December 19, 1849. Wm. V. Coulter was elected ruling-elder. At a very early period there was a Presbyterian church in this vicinity called "Three Runs." Of its history nothing can now be ascertained. "The old Brick Church" stood about a quarter of a mile west of Milford, on a lot now owned by that church and used as a cemetery. The corner-stone of the present church edifice was laid July 4th, 1850, and the building completed and dedicated in August, 1851. The Rev. G. W.Kennedy was stated supply for about seven years. It was through his diligent and praise- worthy efforts that the church was organized, and the church edifice and manse were erected. His health having become impaired through severe labor he removed, and was succeeded by the Rev. C. H. Mustard, who supplied the church every alternate sabbath till November, 1857. The Rev. G. W. Mears was stated sup- ply from November, 1857, until February 15th, 1860. The Rev. J. G. Hamner was pastor from 1860 to September 1863. The Rev. John F. Severance from 1866 to 1868. The Rev. Richard A.Mallery was pastor from February, 1868, until his death June 9th, 1872. Mr.George E. Jones, licentiate from Princeton Seminary, supplied the church for four months. The Rev. A. A. Dinsmore was supply from April, 1873, till November, 1875. The Rev. Charles Boynton was pastor from February, 1876, until February, 1879. The Rev. H. L. Buntline was called December 7th, 1879, commenced his labors February, 1880, and still serves the church though not yet installed as pastor.
THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WILMINGTON was organized by the Presby-
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tery of Wilmington, Dec. 6, 1855. It was [ of Mr. Adams the church has been without a a pastor.
composed of a colony from Hanover street church, and one of the elders of that church, Dr. Lewis P. Bush, was elected and installed as elder of the new organization. In Jan., 1856, the eldership was increased by the accession to that office of Messrs. Charles Stewart, Edward T. Taylor, and Joseph W. Day. The first pastor was Rev. George F. Wiswell who commenced his labor in March 1856, and was installed on the 8th of May, of the same year. The first place of worship used by the congregation was a small church on Fifth and Walnut streets once the property of the Hanover street church, but which at that time belonged to the Baptists.
On the 18th of June, 1857, the corner stone of the present handsome and commodious edifice was laid ; and on the 10th of the fol- lowing November, the church was dedicated. The lecture room had been completed in February, and used for public worship. After a successful pastorate of eleven years, during which several interesting revivals were enjoyed, Dr. Wiswell resigned in order to accept a call to Green Hill church in Philadel- phia. He was succeeded by the Rev. Charles D. Shaw who faithfully served the church about five years. During his pastorate a large Colony was sent out to organize the West Presbyterian church. Dr. Shaw is now pastor of the 2d Presbyterian church of Paterson, New Jersey. He was succeeded by the Rev. J. P. Conkey now of Dubuque, Iowa. The present pastor, the Rev. J. H. Nixon, D. D. was installed, Oct. 10, 1876. While laboring dili- gently and earnestly for the prosperity of the Central, Dr. Nixon, encouraged and aided by his congregation, is making most commenda- ble efforts for church extension in the city.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GEORGE- TOWN, Sussex county, was organized by a committee of the Presbytery of Lewes, January 27, 1860, and Hon. Elisha D. Cullen was made ruling elder. The Rev. J. Balie Adams was installed as pastor, by a committee of the Presbytery of New Castle, April 27, 1873, and resigned March Ist, 1881. The church at Cool Spring was also during those years under his pastoral care. On the death of Mr. Cullen the Hon. John R. McFee was constituted ruling elder, and still serves the church in that capacity. Since the departure
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FELTON was organized Nov. 15, 1860. Its first supply, from the organization till 1863, was Rev. J. G. Hamner, then pastor at Milford. From January 1864, till January, 1866, it was supplied by Mr. L. P. Bowan, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Lewes ; and from the spring of 1868 till the spring of 1873, by Rev. S. Murdock. For two years the church was dependent on occasional supplies sent by Presbytery, or secured by themselves. In Dec. 1875, Rev. S. S. Sturges became stated supply, and remained, laboring very acceptably, till his death, June 20, 1877. His successor was Rev. L. A. T. Jobe from October, 1877, till October, 1879. Since his resignation the church has been without pastor or stated supply.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BRIDGE- VILLE, Sussex county, was organized Dec. 20, 1865. The first pastor, Rev. Alexard Gu . lock, was installed in the spring of 1866. serv- ing till the fall of 1867. Rev. G. W. Todd was a stated supply for a few months in 1869. Rev. Robert White commenced his labors here in December, 1871, was installed the following spring, but very shortly after retired from the field. Rev. E. P. Elcock was stated supply from the fall of 1873 till June 1875 ; and Rev. S. R. Schofield for eighteen months. Rev. E. L. Bowing, pastor of Federalsburg church, was stated supply here from January 1, 1878, till September 28, 1879. His successor was Rev. W. H. Edwards who commenced in March, 1880, and still supplies the church.
THE LINCOLN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organized December 19, 1867. From its or- ganization till April, 1871, it was under the pastoral care of the Rev. H. J Gaylord. Af- terwards the Rev. R. Mallory and the Rev. C. F. Boynton, each supplied it about one year. It is now without pastor or supply.
THIE OLIVET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WILMINGTON, was organized by the Presby- tery of Wilmington, January 31, 1868, with sixteen members. The enterprise originated with the Hanover street church. As early as 1849, a small building was erected on Mary- land avenue at the foot of Chestnut street. The ground was given by Messrs George Jones and David C. Wilson, and after the erection of the building the property was deeded to the
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trustees of Hanover street church. Here a sabbath-school was taught for many years, superintended successively by Messrs. E. T. Taylor, J. P. McLear, Wm. W. Dowe, Wm. M. Pyle and others. This first building was re- moved, and in 1864, February 7th, the present church edifice was dedicated. It was built while Rev. Mr. Aikman was pastor of Han- over street church, and chiefly through his in- strumentality. It was at first supplied for about six months by Rev. W. H. Edwards, and then for about the same length of time by Rev. D. W. Moore. Rev. A. J. Snyder was a stated supply from September 1, 1867, till March 17, 1878. During his ministry the church edifice was enlarged and otherwise im- proved, many members were added both on certificate and on profession of faith, and the church was greatly prospered. Mr. Snyder was succeeded by Rev. Charles P. Mallery who still remains. The house of worship has been recently renovated and made more attractive, and the prospect for the future is highly en- couraging The first elder was Mr. Andrew L. Muir, elected in 1868. Afterwards Messrs. George Morrison and Newton C. Sample were elected to the same office in 1872.
THE WEST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WIL- MINGTON, was organized by a committee of the Presbytery of Wilmington, in October, 1868. It was composed of a colony of sixty- six persons, who left the Central Church for the purpose of joining the new organization, who were joined by a number of members from Hanover Church. The first public ser- vice was held on the 25th of October. Rev. George H. Smyth was called, May 12th, 1869, and installed September 30th of the same year. He resigned September 18th, 1872. Rev. J. M. P. Otts, D. D. was installed June 25th, 1873, and closed his pastorate, January 27th, 1878. Dr. Otts is now pastor of the Chambers Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. Rev. A. N. Keigwin was installed November 19th, 1878, and is still pastor. With a faithful pastor, an active session, a fine church edifice, and a good congregation, the prospects of the church are highly encouraging.
HARRINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, was organized November 25th, 1872. The first supply was Rev. Samuel Murdock, who, owing to failing health, was obliged to retire in the Spring of 1873 For the four months following,
this together with the Felton Church, was supplied by Mr. Wm. Stewart, a licentiate. of the Presbytery of New Brunswick. In 1873 the church edifice was erected, and on the 7th of December of that year was dedicated. Rev. S. S. Sturges was stated supply from December, 1874, till his death, June 20th, 1877. In September, 1877,Rev. Wm. H. Edwards be- came stated supply, and still remains, sup- plying Harrington and several neighboring churches.
THE PRESBYTERIAN UNION CHAPEL OF STANTON was organized May 26th, 1877, with sixteen members. Four elders were elected, ordained and installed, viz: Benjamin W. Dickey, James R. Foote, L. W. Lawrence and George C. Walter. The corner-stone of the church edifice was laid April 24th, 1877, and the house dedicated September 10th, 1878. The enterprise was originated by Rev. Robert Graham, pastor of Christiana Church, and he supplied it every Sabbath afternoon till Dec., 1878. It was then supplied by Rev. A. J. Snyder in connection with the Christiana church. In March 1879, Mr. Snyder received a call from these two churches to become pastor. He still supplies them though not yet installed.
The lot on which the church is built-45 feet front, 95 feet deep-cost two hundred and seventy-five dollars, and the edifice itself about two thousand dollars. It was dedicated free of debt.
We have thus given the dates of the or- ganization, and the names of the pastors and stated supplies of all the Presbyterian churches of the State of Delaware, with the exception of two or three, in relation to which we could obtain no reliable information.
In 1741 the Presbyterian church in this country was divided into what was called the " Old Side" and the "New Side." This was caused by differences not as to doctrines, but as to measures. The churches of Delaware were affected as were the churches of all the other States by this division, and there were at one time two Presbyteries of New Castle covering the same ground. In 1758 the breach was healed, and the church re-united.
The church was again divided in 1837 into "Old School" and " New School." The dif- ferences this time were doctrinal. A majority of New Castle Presbytery adhered to the Old
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School, and the minority connected them- | 29: churches 37 : communicants 3448. Nearly selves with a Presbytery then recently organ- all those churches are supplied with pastors, and many of them are large and flourishing. ized, called the Presbytery of Wilmington. In the re-union of 1870, it was merged into New Castle Presbytery, as was also the Pres- bytery of Eastern Shore, then covering a part of the State of Delaware.
The following are the latest statistics of the Presbyterian church in Delaware : Ministers
These sketches have necessarily been brief. Those who desire fuller and more minute in- formation must await that complete and exhaustive "History of New Castle Pres- bytery," which will doubtless, before long, be written.
NEWARK, DEL., May, 1882.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
BY REV. GEORGE A. PHOEBUS, D. D.
ETHODISM first entered Delaware through the preaching of Captain Thomas Webb, a soldier in the Brit- ish army, and an evangelist under the leadership of the Rev. John Wesley, A. M., of England. Mr. Webb gathered a congregation at New Castle in the year 1769,and soon there- after a class was formed, and a religious feel- ing developed that led its votaries to seek after an experimental knowledge of the power of godliness, through the impartation of the Holy Ghost, rather than through the ordi- nances and services of the church.
During the following year, under the ministry of John King, also an evangelist from England, Wilmington, Isaac Hersey's, Thomas Web- ster's, David Ford's, the Cloud's, and other places in the vicinity of Wilmington, became stand points for the proclamation of Bible truths, from the Methodist preachers,
In giving a summary view of the history of this movement in our State, it is necessary for the observer to bear in mind the fact that there are two distinct periods, along the lines of which the eye must be cast, namely : (Ist,) the period from 1769 to 1785, during which Methodism was ecclesiastically under the Church of England, and (2d,) the period when, and after a distinct church was or- ganized, separate from, and independent of the church of England. During the first period the classes formed were "Societies," the houses built for religious worship were
" meeting-houses," the evangelists were "lay- preachers," and both preachers and people were mainly dependent on the "established church " for the sacraments and other eccles- iastical ordinances.
All the classes formed under the Wesleyan plan were united together having the same common bond, and under the supervision of Mr. Wesley, and such assistants as he from time to time sent to America. These were called the UNITED SOCIETY, and embraced not only the Methodists of Delaware but those of other parts of the Continent. Such a society "is no other than a company of men having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation." (Meth. Disc. Art. Gen. Rules.) By reason of the few. ness of the itinerant band in America, several years elapsed before the southern portion of the State received the message of salvation from the lips of the Methodist itinerant ; and even those places in New Castle County, where classes had been formed, were often without their instruction for several months during the year. The advancement of the work therefore was mainly dependent on the local element raised up at the several points where classes had been formed. A distinctive feature of Methodism from the beginning has been that it is the duty of all members of the Church of Christ to work for its advancement,
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so that not only were laymen permitted to there." The Methodists in Delaware there- preach and exhort in public assemblies, but |fore, while distinct in their classes, were pro- vided with all needful church aid ; and under this system William Gill, a native of New Castle Co., and the first of a noble band of itinerant ministers from the State, was pre- pared to enter the Conference on trial as early as May, 1777.
old and young, male and female, were en- couraged to bear ,testimony and to offer prayer in social meetings established for these purposes. The effect of this policy soon became apparent in enlisting the sympathy and co-operation of persons holding influential positions in social life, while the great moral change wrought in their natures attracted the attention and commanded the admiration of their ungodly neighbors. There was opposi- tion, it is true, sometimes from the rector of the parish, sometimes from the civil officiary, who, as at New Castle, refused the petition of the Methodists to use the Court House for re- ligious assemblage, sometimes from that class of citizens who asserted that the Methodists were a body of enthusiasts, and from other sources; but in the main all were disposed to favor the development of a higher form of spiritual life, as it was apparent among those who embraced the tenets of Methodism. Actuated by this spirit, Robert Furniss, the proprietor of a public Inn in New Castle, J. Stedham of Wilmington, Isaac Tussey of Shell-pot Hill, Isaac Hersey who lived west of Christiana on the Delaware river, and others already mentioned, exerted all their influence to support and exemplify the teachings of the preachers to whom their houses and hearts were open Thus the Methodistic spirit was taking hold of the consciences of individuals in the various com- munities when as yet there was no system- matic plan of union adopted throughout the whole body. The visits of the itinerant preachers being irregular for several years, their pastoral oversight was necessarily lim- ited until at least the year 1774, when Kent Circuit in Maryland was formed, on the western line of Delaware, and Chester Circuit in Pennsylvania; on the eastern line. It had been made a rule, however, by the preachers in their first Conference in 1773, that "every preacher who acts in connection with Mr. Wesley, and the brethren who labor in America," should "strictly avoid administering the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper," and, also, that "all the people among whom we labor, be earnestly exhorted to at- tend the Church," meaning thereby the Church of England, "and to receive the ordinances | scrupulous consciences of others." For a little
The Methodist fraternity was now, however, by the spirit of war and revolution which raged alarmingly in the country, impelled to enter upon an untried experience. The rec- tors in most of the parishes being English clergymen, abandoned their charges and re- turned to England, as did, also, all the preachers who had been sent to America by Mr. Wesley, except Mr. Asbury. So great was the feeling against them that they were canstantly liable to arrest, and Mr. Francis Asbury, though resolved to remain in this country, was left by the action of the preach- ers in their conference in 1778, without any appointment, and without any recognition of his position as Mr. Wesley's assistant. In this state of affairs he found a retreat in Delaware, and in February, 1778, found an asylum at the residence of Thomas White in Kent county. Methodism had been previously introduced into this section of the State and a few classes organized which were under the spiritual over- sight of the preachers of Caroline circuit, that had been formed between the years 1777 and 1778. Into this field Mr. Asbury was brought providentially, and though his protection by Mr. White caused the arrest of the latter as "an enemy of the country", yet he soon had the satisfaction not only of seeing Mr. White restored to the bosom of his family, but also of awakening a deep and fervent religious spirit in both of the lower counties of the State. Mr. Asbury's reason for his retirement to Delaware is thus tersely expressed in his Journal (vol. I. p. 272) "From March 10th, 1778, on conscientious principles I was a non- juror, and could not preach in the State of Maryland, and therefore withdrew to the Del- aware State, where the clergy were not re- quired to take the State-oath ; though with a clear conscience, I could have taken the oath of the Delaware State had it been required; and would have done it had I not been prevented by a tender fear of hurting the
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more than two months he was comparatively posed to separation, it was declared, "ought silenced, but the prejudice against him having gradually subsided, he soon went forth, and formed the Delaware circuit, which in 1779, was supplied by the following ministers : Francis Asbury, Caleb B. Pedicord, Freeborn Garrettson, Lewis Alfrey and Micaijah Debru- ler, and reported a membership of 795. While connected with Caroline circuit, Mr. JohnCoo- per, one of the preachers appointed thereto, vis- ited various parts of Delaware forming societies near Dover, Milford, North West Fork, at Robert Layton's, and other places; where Mr. Asbury, the following year, ministered to the people, and extending the field of his operations, es- tablished preaching at Lewis's, in Murderkill ; Bowyer's, near Dover; Hillyard's, above Dover ; Shockley's, in Slaughter Neck ; Ross's; White Brown's ; Turpin's, in North West Fork ; and Broad Creek. To aid him in the great work before him, the Rev. Freeborn Garret- son, then a young man, joined him, and being full of the missionary spirit, did much service in organizing new societies, especially in Sus- sex County. The work had spread so rapidly that before the close of 1778, a circuit was formed for Mr. Asbury in Kent County, upon which he entered in January, 1779, and thus within the following four months established societies in Dover and other places within a circle of twenty miles. While in the execu- tion of this work he was favorably received by the Rev. Mr. McGaw, "a kind, sensible, friend- ly minister of the Episcopal Church," who both encouraged him in his work, and subse- quently aided him in the erection of a chapel for the use of the Methodists.
On the 28th of April, 1779, was held the first Annual Conference of the Methodist preachers in Delaware. It was convened at Thomas White's, and was held in Delaware, "for the convenience of the preachers in the northern stations, that all might have an op- portunity of meeting in conference, it being unadvisable for brother Asbury and brother Ruff, with some others, to attend in Virginia.' Among the important decisions of that Con- ference, the following are of great historic value : In answer to the question "Shall we guard against a separation from the church di- rectly or indirectly ?" that Body said "By all means," and in harmony with that sentiment, Mr. Asbury, who was well known to be op-
to act as General Assistant in America, on ac- count of his age, and his original appointment to that position by Mr. Wesley." It will here- after be seen, that in less than five years, in the same State, in the same county, and by the full and hearty endorsement of the same General Assistant, the important step was taken which led to the organization of the METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH in the United States of America. Methodism was now spreading rapidly throughout the State. Socie- ties had been formed in Appoquinimink, at Smyrna (then Duck Creek), probably through . the energy of Mr. Geo Shadford, who had gone back to England ; and along the whole line of the State from Wilmington, to the Sound in Sussex, where in March. 1779, the in- defatigable Freeborn Garretson preached the gospel to a family of Williams's, most of whom he had the satisfaction of seeing organized into a class, with Mr. Williams as leader.
The years 1779 and 1780 became noted as the time when chapel building began to en- gage the attention of the Methodists and their friends. Six of these buildings, viz: Forrest or Thomas's near Dover ; Brown's or Bethel in North - West Fork, Sussex ; Moore's in Broad Creek, Sussex ; Barratt's ; Whites ; and Cloud's ; were begun, though some of them were not completed for several years. Forrest Chapel was built mainly through the instrumentality of the Rev. Mr. McGaw, then rector of the Episcopal Church in Dover, and was given over into the hands of the Metho- dists for their use. This interest was develop- ing so rapidily that in the Annual Conference held in April, 1780, a resolution was passed instructing all the Assistants, i. e. those who had charge of the circuit, " to see to the settling of all preaching houses by trustees," and pro- viding that the deeds for the property be drawn "in substance after that in the printed minutes." These buildings were not called chapels because of the comparatively inexpen- sive cost of their structure, but because, some- times they were built mainly through the enterprise of a private person, or family, and because they were considered as ecclesiasti- cally connected with the Episcopal Establish- ment of the country. Many of Delaware's most conspicuous families who, previous to the Declaration of Independence, were members of
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