Middletown transcript., 1881-07-22
HISTORY OF ST. ANNEs CHURCH

1.-THE following is an extract from a
sermon delivered by Rev. DIR. McCabe,
October %, 1870, and published in the
| TRANSCRIPT d few weeks later. As
much interest has recently been eX-
pressed in the history of this venerable
church, and as more than ten years
have elapsed since the article was pub
lished, We think it not amiss to again
give it a place i'll the columns Of the
| TRANsCRIPT.-E
From Humphreys account Of the
labors Of the Missionaries sent from
England, by " the Society for the Prop
agation Of Christianity in foreign
parts,n | find the following: The
inhabitants Of Appoquinimink were 50
jealous as to build convenient church
about the year 1705, long before they
had any settled minister. They used
to be sometimes visited by the Rev
Mr.. Sewell, from Maryland, and Mr..
Wanford, the Society's Missionary in
Dover hundred. They applied to the
Society for a Missionary, and the Rev.
Mr.. Jenkins was appointed to that
place. Upon his arrival he found the
people much scattered in their settle
ments and New Castle Town, which
was then vacant, being settled closer
and more commodious, he oficiated
there for sometime at first, but soon
after by direction Of the Society, re-
turned to his own cure Of Appoquini-
mink. However, during his stay at
New Castle he was not neglectful Of
his duty. At his return to AppoQuini-
mink in 1708, he drew together large
congregation Of about 200 persons,
who were, for the most part, very con
sistent hearers. He had thirteen com
municants the first time he admins
tered the Lords supper He wrote to
the Society that "the people were so
earnest in religion that about twenty
persons had discoursed with him in
order for their due instruction, and
were preparing themselves against the
next administration Of the Lords sup
per, and also that great many grown
persons were preparing themselves to
receive the Holy Baptism, and that he
hoped soon to be able to send over a
joyful account Of his farther success in
his labors. But, five months after,
he died, and was exceedingly regretted
by all who We're acquainted with his
merits, and especially by his parishon-
ers. The Vestry Of his parish wrote |
this concerning him: He died to our
unspeakable grief and loss, and we
must do that justice to his memory as
to assure the Honorable Society that |
he behaved himself in all respects, both
as to his doctrine and life, us became
the sacred character he bore, and God |
did so bless his labors here, that before
he died, he saw our Church in flour
ishing condition n
That, as we perceive, was 1862 years
ago.
!" The Society,", says Humphrey,
" did not send missionary thither for
q considerable time, OIL account Of
being engaged to support other mis-
sions to the extent Of their funds how
ever, the people were not quite desti-
tute. They were occasionally visited
by the Rev. Mr.. Byork, a Swedish
minister, who came from Christiana
Creek, on Delaware river, to perform
Divine service once a month. They
were visited, also, by the Rev. Mr.. |
Club, but oftener by Mr.. Ross, from
New Castle, and some other mission
aries. But the clergy there, in the |
year Ills, with much earnestness rep
resented to the Society that the state Of
several places in that Province was
deplorable. Many churches which were |
once filed with considerable numbers
OF commandments, whose early zeal had |
led them, though poor, to erect those
decent structures for the service Of
God, and at some Of them to build COM
modious houses for the reception Of
their ministers, were, through long
vacancy by the death or removal Of the
Missionaries, quite desolate and great
opportunities were given for the sincere
members of the church to be seduced
to errors, especially the people Of Apo
quinimink, and all Of Bucks, Kent and
Sussex counties. They assured they
had done the utmost they could in their
circumstances to keep those congrega-
tions together by dividing the care Of
them among themselves, and visiting
them sometimes on week DAYS, and
baptizing their children, and instruct
ing their youth, but the great distance
from their fixed cures, rendered the
service out Of measure difficult. y
" The Society moved with the repre-
sentation, sent the Rev. Mr.. Merry.
Missionary to Appoquinimink, but
upon account of some difficulties in
the Mission, he did not settle there
but after short stay in those parts re-
turned to England. The Rev. Mr.