Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-03-28
HISTORICAL.
Ma. EoKsL

Ma. EoKEL:
You reminded me recently of the
non fulhllment Of my promise given you months
ago to furnish a sketch Of the history Of the
Sabbath school connected with Hanover Street
Church, and acknowledge my delinquency 10
the matter The interest awakened by the
lately formed Historical Society of Delaware
leads me to think that it is not too late to put
again before the public the substance of what
was read at the Semi Centennial Celebration of
this Sabbath school.
THR HAAovER STREET SABBATH School is as
far as | can ascertain the oldest in the State,
and among the oldest in the land, having been
organized in the yehr 1914 The Church itself
had then been in existence about forty years
its first pastor having begun his ministry over
it in l77I.k Its corporate name was "The
Church Of Christiana," that designation having
been taken by them when the church was char
tered by the legislature n 1857. II was changed
to that Of "The Hanover Street Church" in 1881.
In 1914, 10 the early part of the summer, the
church was visited by great revival Of religion.
Dr.. Thomas Read was the pastor, but advanced
| in life and in an infirm state Of health.
On Friday previous to the communion in
June, the Rev. Dr. Blackburn aud the Rev.
James Patterson, uncle Of Nicholas Patterson
lately deceased in this city, visited the church
| holding brief series Of meetings. These were
accompanied and followed by religious move
ment which swept over the whole community
and bringing into the fellowship Of the church
many who have from that day to this been among
the most influential and godly Of our citiz,ns
Out Of 1t grew at once o society organised By
female members of the church, the most Of
them subjects of this revival, for the purpose of
prayer mutual instruction and christian labor
This was the "Female Harmony Society," still
in active existence in the church
One of the first efforts Of this society was the
establishment Of Sabbath school. In October,
1914, Sabbath school was begun with 20
children in the 'ola stone church" then occupied
by this congregation aud stll standing on the
corner Of 9th aud Walnut streets This school
has continued in existence without interruption
from that time to this, a period of more than
fifty years The frst Superintendent was Miss
Anna Nj Macmillan, afterwards Mrs. George
Jones' She was succeeded by NJ 81 Mary
Harrison. At tirst the school was presid ID over
by female drectress and the teachers were
exclusively of the same sex. Afterwaris male
teachers were introduced and male superin-
tendent chosen.
lu the early part uf 1927, James Watson WAS
superintendent. He was succeeded by Ne
Peter Alrch, who resigned the Office on his rec
mOYal to Philadelphia. Hon Willard Hall, VIM.
Mendenhall, Matthew Keau, Edward 4. Tay lor
aud Samuel Floyd complete the suggestion Of
superiutendents up to the present time
When the Sabbath school was first organized
ils sessions were held in the gallery OF the sold
, stone church." Afterwarl probably within a
year or two, the school was removed to a small
frame building standing Ou the ground now
upied by the Hanover church. This wa tle
semi-octagon4l building which was Oh the
erection Of the church, removed to the corner
opposite. where 1t may now be seen, presenting
the eame ootagonal sides and roof which made
it conspicuous on this spot iifty years ago.
~. Era. Ia. 4
show, erected building for Sabbath school and
other educational purposes on the lot adjoining
!, the old church on Fifth street, the Trustees OF
, the church deciding them the lot and contributing
e 1900 to the erection Of the building. To this
, new building the Sabbath school was removed.
. Here 1t remained until tho completion of the
G edhce oil Hanover Street chuich, when it was
: removed 10 the basement which it now occupies.
From this parent school many others at DIFF
ferent times have been formed, some of which
are now in a aourishng existence, while others
have long since become extinct Among tn
y latter was school formed in Second street. for
; which small bIick building was erected by
4, Hanover church, and which is still standing
a near the corner of Tatnall street, aud used rs
i, stable attached to the tavern near il. Among
= The former, not to mention the three or foui
4 large and Hourishng sabbath schools connected
i with The Central Presbyterian church, is Oyei
y Chapel Sabbath school, established in 1919
/. For this school the church lust year erected d
i eatand commOdiOus chapel in the south western
part Of the city. Here chaplain is employed
d by the church, and preaching services are held
o regularly every Sabbath morning and afternoon
{. MIR. Edwards, the chaplain, gives his Who'll,
T. time to labor in this necessitous portion of The
l. city.
- The semi centennial celebration was en- coca
i sion Of very great interest, not only from tht
associations naturally suggested by the oecaeior
j. aud the large audience, but from the preseuci
n of many who in childhood aud youth attenIe,
b., the school, some of whom were at its very h,s
b sessions fifty years ago. The interest culmina
3. ted as the whole audience rose and united il
8, singing to the tune Of ''Auld Lang Syne" III
!, following hymn.
= THOSE FIFTY YEARS.