The New York herald., 1879-03-17
AN INTERESTING EDIFICE.
Christ EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT BonpENrowS'
N. j., TO BE TORN DOWN AND REPLACED By
GOTHIC cHAPEL--vILLAoE MEMORIES.

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT BORDENTOWN,
N. j., TO BE TORN DOWN AND REPLACED By
GOTHIC cHAPEL---v1LLAoE MEMORIES
BoRpENTowN, March IA. 1870.
The inhabitants of this quiet little town which
exists mainly in the recollection of the hacyon days
when Joseph Bonaparte lived here. surrounded by
distinguished friends and visitors from France-are
excited just now over the approaching demolition OF
Christ Episcopal Church. and many are the memories
revived by this proposed act of vandalism, it is
termed by few ultra conservatives. But,
though little than forty years old, the edifce
is primitive in form. limited in accommodations and
sadly out Of repair, and it has beca thought better
by those who have the right decide that it should
be replaced by more commodous and attractive
building than that another dollar should be spent in
partial renovation. So for years the ladies of the
church have been untirng in their efforts to
fund for the erection of place of worship, On
the site, overlooking the Delaware river and
tho Pennsylvania farms beyond, and this winter
they have had the satisfaction OF seeing
their share OF the work completed It
only remains to destroy the old church and build the
new. which-let oil true Christians rejoice-will be
paid for it is finished. Work is to be
begun at onco. and before many Sundays shall have
passed the congregation will reunite benca<h the
roof OF. beautiful Gothic chapel But, unhappily
it will again hear the faheriy advice and spirit
ual exhortation of its founder, the late Bishop
Doane. When that devoted prelate organized the
Episcopal church in Bordentown the population
had reached onethrd OF it's present size but the
proportion OF we'll members was quite large
and all hands worked with will to insure its per-
manent success. Its first two wardens, both vener.
able men, now lilo in the adjoining burying ground,
and few of the original COMMITMENTS LETT. The
first organist was Mime. Caroline Georgana Murat,
the beautiful and accomplished wife of Prince Lucen
Charles Murat son OF Napoleon's gallant m arshal,
and nephew the Emperor himself. The match
had been opposed by Joseph Bonaparte. but Lucien
not OF temper to submit to wise dictaton, so.
jumping into carriage one summer afternoon,
nearly fifty years ago, he dashed past his uncle's
park on the road to trenton and was married there
without further ado. For long time the couple
lived in Bordentown, thewife being forced to keep
young ladies' boarding school to make the two ends
hopelessly disjoined them. Their first tour chill
dren, born in about Bordentown and now living
in France. are Caroline. baronns dc Chassron; Anna
Princesse Dadani de Mingrel and Joseph, colonel
Of the Guards. In 1S4s they sailed to France and
were prominent in politics and society under the
Empire, but lived In retirement after the estab-
lishment of the Republic Lucien died about year
ago, aud Caroline some iour or five weeks.
CLERGY AND CONGREGATION.
The first rector of the village church was DR..
Arnold. an English clergyman. who in addition to
his clerical duties found time to manage flourish
ing school. Rev. John Pierce Lathrop his successor,
received General Tyler here on his way to the New
England States. His address OF welcome pleased
the President and Commodore Stockton who ac-
conpanied him, that the clergyman appointed
to chapaincy in the navy but died before he could
one, is now i'll charge of the Episcopal House of
OF Prayer, Newark almost rituastic church. DR..
Foggo, who succeeded Dr. Goodwin is the present
rector of Christ Church. Philadelphia. ah edifice
which its steepe to the .exertions OF Benjamin
Franklin manager Of church lottery years ago.
Dr. James A. Maxwell DIR. Samuel Cox and Rev
Horace Bishop were successive occupants of the
pulpit. few years since the little frame dwell
ing adjoining the church IN Prince street
presented to 1t rcctory ny tho late Henry Beckett
son of Sir Thomas Beckett aud formerly British
consul at Philadelphia, who for many years owned
and occupied the Bonaparte pssk The church was
consecrntcd by Bishop Doane, and has often echoed
with the eloquent preaching OF Bishop Lyman. Of
and Bishops Odenheimer aud Scarborough, of New
Jersey. by the last named appropriate services
held on Sunday morning. two weeks ago. and in the
evening Nathaniel Petit the present rector preached
the last sermon in the old building.
news are Judge Joseph Hopkinson. author of "Haii
Columbia" and friend OF Washington. Franklin,
Adams. Jefferson and other great men of the past
Beckett. Edwin A. Stevens, of Stevens Battery fame:
John Mcknight, nilionnairc; jane and Eliza Fraser
Fraser.sa scotch gentleman who settled in this
country after the Revolution. in which he had taken
part British officer; General William Cook and
Colonel Joseph W. Alien of the army, and Captains
Edward IL. Mccall and William Pearson and Lieu.
tenant George NJ. 'Bache "a descendant Of benjamin
modorc Stewart, "Old Ironsides;" Robert y. Van
Itensselacr. Alleyne Cuipepper. Luke Reel aud
the vns Oliver ess Rear
son oe the Judge. and his sister, Mrs.
William Biddlc; the Countess Dauxhoeven, daughter
OF the late John Mcknight; Hamilton Beckett and
his wife, the daughter OF Lord Chancellor Lynd.
hurst; Dr. s. Gratz Moses and bennington Gill.
FUNERAL SERVICES
A notable funeral held here Ia 1sl2 that Of old
Judge Hopkinson, who now lies in the family bury
ing ground close by his great grandfather, Joseph
Borden. the founder OF the town. and but q short
distance from Harriet Luttre daughter Of the Earl
OF Carlampton. who was buried there just sixty
years ago. The Judiciary and Bar of Philadelphia
dpt n a Another yyus
that held over tho remains OF ex-senator Colonel
Allcn who was drowned in January. 1864 before tho
regiment which he had raised had received it's bap-
tisn ot fire. An immense concoursc attended tue
funeral Including the Legislature OF New Jersey and
many military men, and beautiful marble shaft,
erected by the Ninth regiment, New Jersey volun.
tccrs, marks his resting place In the Episcopal
churchyard.