Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-01-23


18th era of its existence Oh Suntay. IL wasthe
first Methodist Church established in whining
ton, and its history is largely the history OF
Methodisni in the city.
About 1906 the first Methodist sermon VAS
preached here 10y Captain Thomas Webb, an
officer in the British Amy. his was deliver
ed in the open air, under some shady Trees
near the corner Of King and Kent tThlTd) Sts
John Thelwell, who kept public house near
the lower (Second 5treetN market, othciated as
clerk and raised the hymns gwen ont by
Capt. Webb. AT its close, Mr.. Thelwell offered
his school-house, on the south east corner OF
Third and King streets, is place for pubic
service
Here the inst society was formed, called the
Methodist Church of Wilmington, and consist
ed of the following members; John and Deoo-
rah Iheiwel, Henry, Betsey and sarah Coles
bury, John Miller, Thomas Webster, Wllllam
Wood, J. Jacquet, George Witsl DAVID foroi
Samuel Foudry and james Bell.
AT this time the society was connected with
Chester Circuit aud persons in the neghoor-
hood of what is now called Bethel held their
membership in Wilmington. The preachers
appointed to Chester Circuit preached at VIII
mington, in their usual tour around the circuit
Occasional visits were also had from blshop
Asbury, DR.. Coke r. Whatcoat and other dis
tMguished dNines.
In 1889, the ground on which Asbury now
stands was purchased from Caleb Way and Sa-
rah, his wife, for fl65, and conveyed TO Ii
Colesbury, John Miller, qhoGas Webster; Jno
Thelwell, Samuel Poudry, Richard Sheath
George Witsill, James JacQuet, Jr., as Trustees
Subsequently James Bell, and Edward Worrel
conveyed by gift lot OF ground bounding 1t Oh
tls North to Third street A two-s story Tram
house originally stood on thisl lot and was USE
asa parsonage, Rev. Thomas Jones being tn
rrst occupant.
In the same year house OF worship Wa
erected, about IS feet square, without gallery
and was dedicated by Bishop Asbury Oct
18th, from whom it derived its name The 50
ciety consisted, al this time, of49 white and
oolored members although at the commence
meDt 1t Is supposed to have had less than Z
msmbeu.
In 1911, an enlargement was made TO til
house OF 90 feet to the westward, and lii loZ
1t received further addition Of II feet to IL
east and north 30 that 1t occupied all area
60x70 feet.
III 1906 the colored people separated tlo
the mother church TO enter one OF their oWl
on French street, about 30 feet square II
original pulpit Of Asbury church was remove
TO this new one and continued Ia Use fol- mar
years.
In 1859 Wilmington WIS tJr the hist tin
formed into a station, a!.d J. Jtssup was ST
toned here az d preacher iol one gear. SIEVE
al other ministers succeeded him, until 40
when for some reason, not found on record,
reverted again to the circuit, remaining, hos
ever, but one year. 1t continued station Ill
I'll 1904, when 1t was again merged into The
ttr circuit, remaining 81 iii loJU, when II VI
third timo changed u a station under II
pastoral charge Of .Iosdua Weis 1t Ina: co
tinued station until this day
The advance OF membership Ia thd ',uCie
has been slow, and Frequently interrupted
required II years from the TIME TIC church
came station, and " years from tho origin
the society, hefple a membership Of 100 IA
been secured. iii : years nai1, the Inemb
ship was increased 10 4up wAtth Va, In lSl
In 1870 there so H.~lr ''b IA J.
43Z in ls4U 10, ia -. II
We tlas have.uI hti,i Ne: aAlt, history
AsbGry church. Blu Il j. H. ui..sel tie u
Methodist place 81 ~Di.hl" "a Wilmington
The Old mu,licr xxx, Mi'h uoies, liil; ui
the f'mily OF Metbo'h, rl'i,hs growing
around her
81. fuul's, Union scott .ud ,tAcc AT.
names Of her children while o'hcrs AZ
worth and Madelcy, luay hu named among
vigorous grand chIllIeh. Many ri thU.t "
once woishppcd in the old time honui-d AZ
tnary OF AsDury ale now found III the chufc
fust named, and thus the membership Of
society has heen dmnished The mrIGt
ship at present, exceeds so
During the past ~ ycHr7 asbnrv thu
has been served Ivy s. pastors. lH- f-inN
V complete list
WIN. Jessup l,s9, bona MJCloskey i
Thomas Ware 1921, SKIS ester Hutchinson L
Robert Cloud 1893, Evan Iu-er. iI0I in !
Asbury was on Ci.eator Circli' John Va
nan lI9U, Ezekiel Cenpci liUTs, Daniel |
Ter lT99, Caleb hendai. lsry-l, J.tlu,'s Ii
mus 1902 Thomas Jones 1903, IN lsO4-J
station was changed agaln 10 tie Circuit. ,
hua Wells 1906 JOHN McCloshg sol
liam Bishop lSOs Ezekiel Cooper l,-JH. Ja
Sanders 1871, JAMES Edeindu iSi2 Gr,
Sheeis 1873. Mr.. ShurZ cJatnurl ~ i
but was assisted b, Thomas Nillj. ,'ohn
DRY 1915, William Williams l~lh. lohn GoiC
1877, Samuel J. Cos Isis Jn,epn i.usl
49,