Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-10-24
ONE HuADRDED YEARS OLD.
Centennia al Anniversary o. Hanover Frssbyier-
hu huroh.

exercises. this morning, were we'll attended, and
the auditorium Of the church was very comforta-
bly, filed.
The church is very handsomely decorated with
evergreens and towers. Beautiful boquets are
arranged in frout OF and around the pulpit, while
a long line Of evergreens spans the whole altar
and dropping in graceful folds on either side is
extended entirely around the gallery, hanging IN
festoons, in the arches of which are painted upon
white surface encircled with eVergreens, the
names of the former pastors OF the church III |
regular order four on either side. The names |
of Reys. Messrs. White and Marks the tirst and /
present pastors of the church are also to be seen
IN wreaths above the pulpit. Large oil paintings
of Judge Hall and DR.. Gilbert are placed IN WIN |
doWs on either side the pulpit representative OF |
the Elders and Clergy OF the church. Evergreens
| are also entwined about the lamps in the pulpit
which are dimly burning.
| The exercises this morning, consisted OF music
/ prayer and addresses. The singing was OF very
/ line order, and was much praised. The first ad-
dress was by Rev. Lafayette Marks, OF historl-
/ cal nature.
/ Mr. Marks chose as the foundation of his ad-
/ dress the 9TH 9th and 7th verses of the olth
| Psalm. After extending cordial welcome TO
the congregation, he proceeded to review TN
rise and progress OF Presbyterianlsm in VIII
| mingtun. presbyterianism, he said, Was intro
iuced upon the Peninsula at very early date
as far back as the latter part of the l7th Century
Rev Francis Mckamie was the pioneer OF Pres
| oyteianism ON the Continent, and hls hrst labor
| began on the Peninsula. He died m lfOo, nav
| lng planted several churches III Maryland anu
Inc Oldest roots of Presbyterianism undert
| the soil of Delaware, Maryland and virginia
| This region is very rich in historic interest AM
| "a Intimately connected with the growth of Pres
| byterlanism. The distinguished Samuel DaVles
| was born III New Castle county, near Drawer
| Church. lie was educated at Faggs Manor, Ii
| Chester county, and afterwards became Pres
| IA t.,fN Hall and filled other pOHltlDlf
| Of prominence and responsibility. He was much
| admired by King George, OF England, as b
: | preacher DR. Wadden the celebrated bllno
preacher received his academic training at Yves
| Nottingham, Cecil county, Nd.
Presbyterianism was introduced in Wilmington
Il some time previous to l7lO. From the date o.
ts introduction it has made steady and con
" ,inuuus growth.
l. | Eastern part OF the city, and was called tht
a | Jhustana Presbyterian Church. II atterWardi
assumed the corporate name oil the SeGoh1
| presbyterian Church. Ihe hfst pastor OF "hoh
n | any account was gwen was Rev. William smith
/, | yho Identified its charge III 1896. ln 1871, Df
n | rhomas Read was called to the pastorate OF th'
4, hurch. He spent 90 years in the ministry an
n u in this church. After his retirement heY J.
~ Gilbert was called, in 1918, and continued Ii
| lie capacity of pastor for ~ years. lie was al
s | lble and distinguished man, and did more 10
NJ he advane ement of Presbyterlanlsm IN the cit
Q, han any her man known. In 1911 he lett III
n i
Al, )olIege. Ills ministry the most lmportan
.nd historic of any connected with th
church. He was well-known as theological
ht man of universal information and OF lhteuet
o. | lual powers.
H. The present house of worship was dedicate
Il, | IN the 18th Of March, 1929, at which time th
il congregation assumed the name OF the Hanove
a | Presbyterian Church, from the street upon whlc
{ was located In 1886 Rev Dr. Gilbert wa
eiustatcd as pastor of the church. His paste
IL ate was divided, the interim being illed b
II iev. DR.. Granger who retired IN $3.50. .,..,,.
ia The next call was extended to Rov. William
=" Iugarth, of Geneva, n. Y. on the goth OF Sci
II enlber, 1911. On the 2lst OF October, 1916, Ii
III vas dismissed, having remained hye years
During his stay he dldlan important work. BEN
,ctlve IN theinlnlstry and very popular maj
o de Is now at Detroit, Mich.
h' After the retirement Of MIR. Hogarth, lev. d
IL q. Rockwell, ID. D., was called on the 18th da
A. II February lSl7 He also remained i've year
re md was cry popular with the congregation. Ii
cit on the 23d Of January 1851, carrying VII
eI Inn the confidence OF his people TO the Centr
trosbyteran church at Brooklyn. lie has AWAY
manifested great interest IN tie conBregatu
ule ,uee he departed from it.
rel Rev. a. ID. Pollock Of Va, was called on Il
~ I'd of April, 1852. He was distinguished as
le ireacher and writer, and for freshness and ys'
a! II thought his superior never Appearedl III any
b. lie pulpits OF tins city. lie left in tue fall
r. ,sj5 and is now at Warrenton, Va. He was Il
lh' .utnor Of the very important work, Life III Il
'm GXOde.
lu tic fall of 1850, Central Church was orga
led large number leaving the congregation
sc hanover 10 JOIN III the enterprise, having hi
IRE ucelyed letters of Dismissal. Ihe church "
dedicated ON the l0th OF November, 1851
III The next pastor Of the Hanover church "
L. rev W. Z. Dickinson, who was called on the q
ma II December, l5jj. He was never Installed a
sle remained less than year, but long enough
Al ,Iu the esteem aud affection OF all who knt
ee Iim. He was man OF ability, but unwilling
% .ssume the responsibilities OF such charge
an hat time
Rev VIM Aikman OF Newark, n j., was call
IA the 2nd OF June 1867, and installed
r II pastor OF the church on tue Both OF October
len IwIug. His ministry was the longest since
o~ | lays Of Dr, Gilbert. His virtues a- a man a
the 4bors as pastor are well known IN this co
-da nunlty. The period of his pastorate was
pa most stormy, trying and difficult Of any in
50 ihurCh, During years OF 1t the couatry '
nel nsaged IN terrible civil war. aad 1t was HI
'od Or minlsterto discharge his duties to the sat
lmI action of his own conscience and all concern
VIII lie is now at Detroit.
ca, il was during the ministry of Rev Mr. .Aiku
cia that Oliyel chapel built and dedicated, ,gr,
cut ing out OF sunday school organized IN
Western part OF the city az far back 1919 I
Ids become Of the most iuurishing
Cit IsefuI schools IN the city. The church was d.
,om 'ated in 1864. and ID now prospering under
VIC, faithful ministry Of Rev. A, j. Snyder.
TIL, | AT the close of Mr.. Aikman's ministry, a NJ
ley, Der of persons in the Hanover Church ielt il
il az heir duty to engage in new enterprise
nteI. withdrew from the church. Uniting with nj
trac Der from the Central and First PresbEte
/ tlr Jhurches, they organized what IL known as
rs o, Vest Church, whose and magnificent edl
wel, | vas dedicated III December last.
ithn This brings the history of the church dow
the time OF the pres ent pastor, (liev. Lifay
sasec larks) who began his ministry late in the
" by If 1863. Since then the church has been uui
and harmonious, and under the cordial supp
II the congregation the church has been stea
growing IN interest and strength. This Chu
mas always had the distinction 10 be under
Kate control of faithful and devoted corps of Ed
efor, | conspicuous among whom may be mento
each David Harblson Dr. George MOnrO. John I'll
ming, Robert Porter, j. b. Porter, Matt
hean, George Jones, Thomas Alrch. and Will
Clark,-all dead. They contributed by their
and labors very largely TO spirituaze the chu
open The Sunday School is one Of long stand
moud and has done great and good work. For
opera years it has been under the superintendence
sitive samuel hioyd anu out OF H. mas gone u
l. who are filling prominent positions in the CHI
and preaching i'll this aud other lands. 1t Il
Ders about 300 pupils, and is IN a vigorous
healthy condition.
The church has had long history, and
been instrumental in doing good deal of &
o. Mr.. Marks concluded his address with =
81 observations on Presbyterianism as allied
hia, to the structure of our civil governmental
influence ou civil and religious liberty, and
hams, tory as connected with the events of our Hel
Sim tionary war-of its broad and Catholic sp
Iorton and it wecomes to its fellowship in Chrii
labor all who love the Gospel of Christ. {
Phil Justice Tighman has expressed the opinion
Old f1aaff fItf.f IL. Natl al n