American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-09-02
From the Philadelphia Recorder, .aug. IS.

On Thursday St. James's Church near Stanton
Del. was consecrated TO the worship of Almighty
God, by the Right Rev. William White, d. d,
Bishop OF the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
Diocess of Pennsylvania. The morning service
was read by the Rev. Mr.. Weller Of the Diocess
of Maryland and discourse appropriate to the oc~
casion was delivered by the Rev. MIR. Bede Rec
tor of St. Andrews Church, Philadelphia The
Rev. Robert Clay, Rector OF the Church and the
Rev. Messrs Williston and Brinckle were also
present.
II is interesting TO remark the progress Of the
church in the state Of Delaware. 1t is not long
since the vestry OF the church at New Castle en-
larged their ancient building and made it most
beautiful church, which has been finished With q
very fine clock in the steeple, the workmanship
Of Lukens of this city. St James's Church has
for number of years been connected with the
church New Castle under the pastoral care of the
Rev. Robert Clay. The old building in which the
congregations had worshipped, having gone much
to decay, the present church has been built within
very small distance and is building which reflects
great credit all who have been engaged, psrticus
lsrly to Mr.. Barker, whose zeal and persevering in
dustry is beyond praise. !, is stone building near.
ly square, finished with galleries and every convs-
nience for the purpose intended. An air OF great
neatness runs through the whole. The site on
which the church is built is OF the greatest beau
ty. The building is near one extremity of a ten
acre lot (the property of the church) of the most
majestic Oaks whose Deep rich foliage occasionally
hide it from the view. There is a reposc and beau
ty about the scenery which seem fitted to cherish
the feelings of devotion and the world appears ss ic
were shut out. The grave yard surrounding the
old church has many tomb stone which tells the
brief story of those who an hundred years ago had
come up to that place to worship.
There were many circumstances which rendered
the daV particularly interesting. The ruins of the
old church which is enc of the most ancient which
is to be found in this section Of the country. new
and handsome building erected by the perseveriDg
efforts Of few staunch friends, the venerable
Bishop OF Pennsylvania whose life has been coeyaI
with the history of the American church. A con-
gregation SO large that probably not than one
half were in the interior of the building and COM
posed of persons of the first responsibility
of the clergy from different Diocesses who took
part in the exercises of the occasion, and the cir
cumstance of neat and commodous building in
which the congregation can worship God after the
manner of their fathers all unite to impress the
mind with feelings of no ordinary description.
May the great head of the church to whom this
Temple, is dedicated condescend to bless the
undertaking, and may that Gospel which is the power
of God unto Salvation be there preached till the
people of the Lord have no need of earthly
temples, but shall God day and night in thas
temple which is in Heaven.
As the congregation had come many from dis
lance and as the exercises were long, Mr.. Barker
with hospitality which has always characterized
him made rural table under the fine spreading
Oaks, and such of the company as saw fit to remain
partook of substantial dinner which had been pre-
pared for the occasion, blessing from the throne
Of grace being asked by the Bishop to accompany
the reception of the creatures of bountiful Pro-
violence.