Smyrna times., 1872-11-27
The Dedication.


After a abOrious but persistent effort Of over
fifteen months, with financial odds apparently much
against them, the Methodist congregation Of this
town have succeeded in erecting one of the most
beautiful and commUdeus churches on this Penin-
sula. With the exception of Grace and West
Presbyterian, of Wilmington, it, and the church
just erected at Port Deposit, Md, doubtless stand
without rival in The limits Of The Wilmington
Conference. Although remsdeled il "bears scarcely
a semblanee 10 lis former self" and is virtually
new structure "a plde to its congreg alton, an
ornament to the town, memorial to Methodism.
The dedcatory services were held on Sunday last.
IN the presence OF iull audiences which would have
been Oppressively crowded in all probability, but
for the epizootic. Bishop Foster, Of Madison, N j.
preached two sermens, with which the audiences
were delighted 10 enthusiasm. The morning ser.
vices were commenced by the chanting of the Lords
Prayer, by the choir. and after prayer by the Bishop
and anthem by the choir, Master Alfred Fo~ Ter,
on behalf Of the Sunday School, presented a hand
some Bible for the pulpit, which was received for
The pastor by Rev. F. NJ Chathan. A Hymnal was
presented on the part eF the Infant School by Ette
Smith, one of its members, and was received by the
pastor. We may also state that handsome silver
collection service has been presented by Mrs Isaac
G Lapham.
Bishop Foster preached from the text, Nils name
shall be called Wonderful"-Isaiuh 96. The dis
course had thrilling effect upon the audience
r..
announced that debt Of $4,000 was resting upon
the church, the liquidation Of which must be pro-
weed for. Subscriptions received TO the
amount Of S5 342. In the afternoon the Sunday
School subscribed $500 in a short time, making
something over $4,000 in all, and leaving $4,000 to
be provided tor at the evening service.
AT the evening service Bishop Fosters sermon
was received with more delight. ii possible, than his
morning discourse. His text was, "And il doth not
Vet w hat Ue oh he - & LAT lot M
The singing throughout the day was highly
comPlimented, as was also the organ, Miss Lue
Sturgss presiding.
Subscriptions tor the balance Of the indie ess
were requested from the congregation and responded
to- $4,000, the amount OF the deficiency being sub.
scrIbed Such enlarged liberality was entirely
beyond the expectation Of the Trustees and filled
them and the friends Of the church with inexpressi.
bic pleasure
When IT was announced that the large indebted.
ness had been provided for, the BshSD proceeded
with the dedlcatOry services. The Trustees Mes.rs.
James K. Clements, John II. Hoffecker, John H.
Bewley, William Worden. Joseph Smithers.
John b. Cooper and William II Bagrs were called
in front Of the chancel aud Mr.. Bcwley, on their
behalf, presented the church to the Bishop in the
following language: I'VE present unto ysu this
building, 10 be dedc ted church for the service
and worship Of Almighty God" The Bishop then
dedicated the church 10 the worship of Almighty
''pu according 10 the Dscplne aud usages Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church"
The republication Of the following facts NAV
prove oftnerest The church is 60 feet front by 80
feet deep, 40 feet in height, aud has two ted
towers. one of which is l3j feet IN height and the
other 50 feet. The auditorium is Is by 90 feet
contains 80 pews and with the galleries will seat
|1O persons. The windows are Of stained glass
and the walls handsomely lrescoed. The entire
tnrnIture OF the auditorium is OF SOLID walnut
finished in oil and upholstered with scarlet cushion.
for the pews and plush Of color for pulpit
tnrnnare. Tho hS"r Is csrpeted entire, with a
carPetng Of vine and leaf figure and crimson and
brown color. The galleries are painted in imitation
walnut. The rear gallery is occupied by the organ,
large pipe instrument, with eleven stops and
heavy 'ub.bass Until recently it did service IN the
Church of the Incarnation. ;EpscopaD Phila
There will be four rooms IN the steepes for study
library and reading roons. Tho he'll weighs 2O96
los and was put IN at a cost OF 1920. The total
cost of the improvement is about S20,O6O.
The entire work o. construction was under the
charge Of Mr.. Lewis II. Peeky who carried out the
plan TO The entire satisfaction OF the building COM
mite, Mtssrs Wns. Worden, J. II. Bewley and John
II. Hofecker The handsome pa el work of the pulpit
and gallarIes was done by Mr.. David Sutton the
elafo-ate scroll work of the pews by Worden &
Evans, and the besutiful carving Of the pulpit by
Messrs Peeky and Sutton. The staircascs-oiled
ash with oiled walnut rimmings-were made BY
and,
other workmanship, are of superior handcraft
The painting and ong was by S. L. Clark, and
the brIckwork by John Enss.
lnasmuch as this event marks an epoch in the
history of this denomination in the towa a short
sketch OF ts rise and progress may prove interesting
10 all our readers-'nOre SO now. perhaps, than al
any other time, notwithstanding the length of our
article.
We learn from authentic works on the subiec,
that its introduction dates hack to 1873 when PRAYER
meetings were held in the house Of Jas. L. Stevenson
(whose descendents are still prominent in the
denomination) little log structure adjoining the
present church site. II dest royed BY FIRE about
twenty years ago, on Sunday morning during church
service.
II is stated that the friends Of the faith met with
much opposition, and several times an effort was
made to upset the little house during the religion,
exercises. The following year (l7S0l Bishop Asbury
preached his hrst sermon to three hundred people"
The town was then called Duck Creek Cross Roads
The society continued to grow, and IN 1855 tho
old frame church,, the first structure was a,led
was erected in the "old buryng ground" on property
o. Allen McLano, father Of Hon. Louis McI.ane Of
President Jackson's cabinet, who became connected
with the society. This building was 80 feet SQUARE
and Bishop Asbury, in his notes, speaks of il as a
comfortable hnHse." After the erection of this
church conference was held here for a num1cr ef
consecutive years. The Iciety however, soon out.
grew the capacity of this building and in 1874 the
large brick church was erected on the present site
The cOrnsr.stone was laid on the Oath or NAV, Of
that vcar. At the time of its crectioA it was one of
the largest churches owned by the Methodist denami
nation. and much too ~fAe for the plain tastes of
some Of its worshlpers The work for the present
beautiful structure was commenced on the 18th Of
August, 1871.
How THE OYSTER Law ORKs.--A CORES spOndeni
Ofihe Milford NeDs. wiring from Little Creek Land.
ing, says: =" Mr. Collins III. Sheriff of Kent County