Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1873-01-18

Methodist Church established 10 Wilmington, and i
is history is largely the history of Methodlam |
in the city.
About 1865, the first Methodist sermon was |
preached here by Captain Thomas Webb, an |
officer in the British army. This was, deliver |
ed inthe open air, under some shAdEtrOes near |
the corner of King. aud Kent (T1faJ sts, John |
Thslwell, who kept q public house near the
lower (second street, market, oficiAted as clerk
and raised the hymns as given out by Capt Webb.
At it's close, Mr. Thelwell offered his school
house, on the southeast corner OF Third and
King streets, as aplace for public service.
Here the first society was formed, called the
Methodist Church OF Wilmington, and consisted
Of the following members John and Deborah
Thelwell, Henry, Betsy and Sarah Colesbury,
John Miller. Thomas Webster, William Wood, j.
Jacquet George Witsill, David Ford, Samuel
Foudry and James Bell.
At this time the society was csnnocted
with Chester Circuit and persons in the
neighborheod of what is now called Bethel held
their membership in Wilmington. The preach.
ers appointed to Chester Circuit preached
at Wilmington, in their usual tour around the
circuit. Occasional visits were also had from
Bishop Aabury, DR.. Coke, r. WhAtcont and
other distinguished divines.
In 1888, the ground on which Asbury Church
now stands was purchased from Caleb Way and
Sarah, his wife, for f165, and conveyed to ID,
Oolesbury John Miller. Thos. Webster, Jno.
Thelwell, Samuel Foudry, Richard Snesth,
George Witsill, James Jacquet. Jr., as Trus-
tees. Subsequently James Bell, and Ed
ward Worrell conveyed by gift 9 lot Of
ground bounding 1t on the North to Third
street. two-story frame house originally
stood on this lot and was used as . parsonage,
Rev Thos. Jones being the first occupant.
In the same year house OF worship was
erected, about IS feet square, without gallery,
and was dedicated by Bishop Asbury. Oct. 10th,
| from whom it derived its name The society
kaI ~ lima nf tuht md
| ed members, although at the commencement it
| ia supposed to have had less than 20 members.
i In 1911, an enlargement was made to the house
of 20 feet to the westward and in 1928 it receiv.
| ed further addition of 10 feet to the east and
north, so that it occupied an area OF 5Ox70 feet
In 1905 the colored people separated from the
| mother church to enter one Of their own, on
/ French street. about So feet square, The origi-
/ nal pulpit of Aabury church was removed to this
new one and continued in use for many years.
In 1889 Wilmington was for the first time
formed into station, and j. Jessup was sta
toned here az preacher for one year. Several
other ministers succeeded him, until 1875, when
| for some reason not found on record, it reverted
again to the Circuit. remaining, however, but one
Il year 1t continued station until 1SO4, when 1t
was again merged into Chester circuit, remain
ing so till 1906, when it WAS third time changed
to station under the pastoral charge OF Joshua
| Well. II has continued station until this day.
The advance OF membership in the Society has
been slow, and frequently interrupted. 1t requir-
| station and 80 years from the origin OF the 30
| cety. before a membership OF 100 had been Be-
cured In II years more, the membership was
increased to 200, which was in 1878. In 1920
there were 379 members in 1881, 43z IN lS4U,
| 1856 in 1851, 721.
We thus have, in brief the early history of
Asbury church. But it ID no longer the only
Methodist place of worshipin Wilmington. me
| old mother looks with modest pride upon the
family of Methodist Churches growing up around
her. st. Paul's, Union, Scott and Grace are the
names OF her children, while others, as Epworth
and Madeley, may be named among her vigorous
| grandchildren. Many of those who once wor-
| shipped in the old time honored sanctuary of
Asbury are now found in the churches just
named and thus the membership Of the society
has been diminished. The present membership
During the past "a years. Asbury Church has
been served by S. pastors. The following is a
complete list.
William Jessup, 1888.
John McCioskey, 1880.
Thomas Ware, 1871.
Sylvester Hutchinson, 1872.
Robert Cloud, 1893.
Evan Rogers 1874.
. In 1875, Asbury was on Chester Circuit.
John Vaneman, 1875.
| Ezekiel Cooper 1897 and 1898.
Daniel Fider, 1893
Caleb Kendall, 1900 and 1901.
4 James Latomns. 1902.
Thomas Jones, 1903
In lSO4-5 the station was changed again to th'
!, circuit.
Joshua Wells. 1906
John McCloAkey. 1907.
William Bishop, 1903.
y Ezekiel Cooper, 1909.
William Mel anahan. 1910.
James Sanders, 1911.
James BAteman 1872.
!, George Sheetz, 1918.
: Mr. Sheetz continued In 1914, but wAa Assiste
Z | by Thomas Miller.
= John Emory 1915.
William Williams, 1876.
John Goforth, 1917
=, Samuel j. Cox, 1873
;, Joseph Rushing 1919 20.
- l.. Laurenson, 1921
. John Potts, 1928.
n Solomon Sharp 1924.
~ Henry White, 1925
: L. McCombs 1926.
y solomon Higgins, 1928.
David Daily, 1929.
III John Kennaday, 1901.
e Joseph Lybrand, 1928.
no !. Joseph Rusling, 1884.
O. Rushing, 1895.
~ nj. Sorin, 1886
ne William A. Virgins 1878.
~ Joseph Lybrand 1839-40.
Robert Gerry, 1912.
n John Kennaday, 1894.
on Anthony Atwood, 1896.
-, Thomas j. Thompson, 1878
~ ~ William Cooper, 1S49-5O.
y. Johe A. Roche, 1912.
" Robert Gerry, 1854
IA Joseph Mason, 1866.
NJ G. Dram, 1878.
Wesley Kenney, 1859-60.
ho Charles Hill, 1852.
'ut W. O. Robinson, 1868 4.
Us, George Quigley, 1866.
ost j. d. Curtis, 1858.
ly Charles Hill, 1859 70-1.
30, Enoch Stubbs 1872
M Ofthese pastors, eleven are still living, son
ny of whom expected to be present at the dedit
On ton, tomorrow. The venerable Rev. Father BE-
20, Ehem, who was Presiding Elder here in 1913,
eat years Of age, is expected to be present
IVY In the renovation which the church L
lgh gone through, since August last, when
oh. was closed, for repairs, it's dimensio
my have not been enlarged. TIL
M are the same as when last enlarged but one IA
On to note in the renovated church the Asbury
se that period. The old gallery still remains, al
i with the ventiator in the top,i the only old la
u mark recognizable. New seats Of walnut, finish
''uS in oil, have been substituted for the old
new pulpit and chancel rail have been addt
re. while back of the pulpit a recess has be
ne bnilt by cutting through the wall and insert
an a frame the old square windows have been
ilnh moved, and archlng ones take their plat
'em The arrangement of the seats is also differei
ono They are now placed in two blocks, with cent
ion ION and two side alsles. The walls and ceiling a
tis richly frescoed in neutral tints and beautil
les, designs Six chandeliers are suspend
." from the gallery to light the loy
part Of the room, and FIVE from the cell
1ers to light the gallery. These OF blue and &C
On and contrast very nicely with those on eitl