Middletown transcript., 1870-10-22
HISTORY OF ST. ANN'S CHURCH,


The Rector, DR.. McCabe, has kindl
furnished for publication the followin,
outline of the history of St. AIMS, whicl
possesses much local interest. It is a,
extract from his sermon delivered Octo
Der I'd, 1870: 70 h1,r =
From Humphreys account of the labor
OF the Missionaries sent from England, b,
"the Society for the Propagation of Chris
tianity in foreign parts, )" 1 find the follow
ing: 1.-The inhabitants Of Appoquinimiul
were so jealous as to build a convenient
church about the year 17O5, long before
they had any settled minister. They used
to be sometimes visited by the Rev. Mr.
Sewell, from Maryland, and Mr.. Wanford
the Society's Missionary in Dover Hun.
dred. They applied to the Society for q
Missionary, and the Rev. Mr.. Jenkins
was appointed to that place. Upon his
arrival he found the people much scattered
in their settlements; and New Castle Town.
which was then vacant, being settled
closer and more commodious, he oiiiciated
there for sometime at first, but soon after
by direction Of the Society, returned to
his own cure Of Appoquinimink. How
ever, during his stay at New Castle he
was not neglectful Of his Duty At his
return to Appoquinimink in l70S, he
drew together a large congregation Of
about 200 persons, who were, for the most
part, very consistent hearers. He had
13 communicates the frst time he admin
istered the Lords supper: He wrote to
the Society that "the people were SO earn
est in Religion, that about 90 persons had
discoursed with him in order for their due
instruction. and were preparing themselves
against the next administration Of the
Lords supper, and also that great many
grown persons were preparing themselves
to receive the Holy Baptism, and that he
hoped soon to be able to send over ioyful
account of his farther success ia his Ia.
bors. But, five months after, he died.
and was exceedingly regretted by ill who
were acquainted with his merits, and es-
pecially by his parishioners. The Vestry
of his parish wrote this concerning him
"He died to our unspeakablei grief and
loss, and We must do that justice to his
memory as to assure the Honorable Socie-
ty that he behaved himself in all RESPECTS.
both as to his doctrine and life, as became
the sacred character he bore, and God did
SO bless his labors here, that before be
died, he saw our Church in a hourishine
condition" ,HG ysatp U -
That, as we perceive. was 1872 years
ago. e@o -Ieey 'ioo17'
"The Society" says Humphrey, "did
not send missionary thither for 4 consid
cradle time, on account of being engaged
to support other missions to the extent Of
their funds; however. the people we're not
quite destitute They were occasionally
visited by the Rev. Mr.. Byork, Sweedl
ish minister, who came from Christina
Creek. on Delaware river, to perform Di-
vine service once month. They were
visited, also, by the Rev. Mr.. Club, but
ofteuer by Mr.. Ross, from New Castle,
and some other missionaries. But the
clergy there, in the year 17l5, with much
represented to the Society that
the state Of several places in that Prov
ince wasdeplorable. Many churches which
were once filed with considerable num-
bers of communicants, whose early zeal
had led them, though poor. to erect those
decent structures for the service of God.
and ut some Of them to build commodious
houses for the reception Of their ministers.
were, through long vacancy BY the death
or removal Of the Missionaries, quite des-
olate; and great opportunities were given
for the sincere members of the church to
be seduced to errors, especially the people
Of Appoquinimink, and Of all Bucks.
Kent. and Sussex counties. They assur
cd they had done the utmost they could
in their circumstances to keep those con-
together by dividing the care
Of them among themselves, aud visiting
them sometimes on week days, and bapti.
zing their children, and instracting their
youth, but the great distance from their
fixed cures. rendered the service out Of
measure difieult.' i "The Society moved
with the representation. sent the Rev. Mr..
Merry, Missionary to Appoquinimink, but
upon account OF some difficulties Ia the
Mission. he did not settle there. but after
a short stay In those parts returned to
England. The Rev. Mr.. Campbell was
afterwafd sent missionary here, but lsft
and went TO Brookhaven.f sh-1uT BE- 4
Here ends the quotation from Humphrey.
The next appointment by the Society was