Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-10-22
LOCAL AND PENlNSULAR
An UNoURIoUs OLD NATIVE OF
CYPRESS sW4aIP.
Dedication of IA New African Church
mt Middletown-A Description OF
the New Bniiding-sound Advice
from Bishop Kane.

Special Correspondence OF Gazette and Journal.
MDDLErowN, Oct. 49, Yesterday being
o bright day all sorts Of vehicles from the
horse cart 10 the handsome coach began
coming in town from all directions. The
object of the gathering was the dedicatory
services ut the Trinity A. M. q. Church,
on Lockwood street. At IL o'clock about
1000 colored people had congregated and
the handsome little edifice was soon
crowded TO its utmost capacity. Bishop
II. III. Kane of the Philadelphia confer
enee, was in attendance and began the in-
troductory services at 11.30. A choir
from Wilmington was present and nc
quilted itself in good style.
Previous to the morning service the
church was thrown open for inspection
and many Of our white citizens took ad-
vantage of the opportunity, all of whom
were greatly surprised with the appear
ance thereof. The building is of brick,
covered by a slate roof. The interior is
finished in ash and walnut, the epulpit and
altar rail being entirely of solid black
walnut. The choir is provided for by q
neat and commodious stand back of the
chnneel, The auditorium is lighted
by an immense = chandelier sus-
pended from the centre of the
ceiling and two twin stand lamps
placed near the chancel. The windows
are of plain glass set in neatly designed
sash Thesmasonry was done by Stanger
u Givens, wood work by @. N. Dodd,
plastering by Green 4 Wamsley, and the
painting by j. L. Wilson, all mechanics
of this town, and the heater will be put in
by Harry Davis of the Middletown Stove
House. While the colored people are
deserving considerable credit for succeed
ing in the completion of so handsome a
house of worship, they cannot bestow too
much honor and praise upon Richard
Cole, the prime mover in the undertaking.
This faithful old colored man has fire.
quently taken from his pocket the
last dollar he had to pay the
mechanics, besides which he has
done many days hard work on and
about the building to keep down the cost,
after refusing paying jobs to do so
When money was needed Richard was the
first to say his property should be security
for the same, and in this way u sufficient
amount was secured to finish the build
ing. Besides labor and money given,
Richard Cole has furnished meals for
hundreds of his race when attending ''big
meetings" in the old church. Richard is
by no means disheartened over the
amount thus spent, because he says the
white folks will give him work and he
can earn living for his family and pay a
little at n time ON his loan. The stewards,
MS tribute of respect to Cole, have had
his name cut in the cornerstone of the
church, and it is greatly appreciated by
him.
During the afternoon services the
bishop WINS assisted by the Rov. j.
Nicholas of Cecilton, Nd; the Rev.
Charles Ross, Wilmington, and the Revs.
j. Holland and Seth ID. Smith Of Smyrna;
the Inter of whom proved an excellent
beggar. The Rev. Mr. Parrerer, the
pastor in charge, was of course present
and participated in the solemn cere-
monies.
During the bishops discourse, in the
afternoon, he gave his people some good
advice, showing them where and why
they should improve and elevate them
selves and become good and respected
tax payers and citizens. He said their
only enemies in this world were ignor-
ance and the devil-sin, and enjoined
upon them to seek education and
christianity. With these, he said, their
record would be good and they would be
q law abiding class. He told them that
they must learn to respect themselves
and the white people would feel more
kindly toward them. He warned them not
to be prejudiced against any church, but
go on and worship God in their own way
and allow others to do the same un-
molested. The. bishops address was
highly spoken of by influential citizens
present. Many persons were somewhat
disappointed because Bishop Wayman of
the Baltimore conference was not present
The Rev. Mr.. Smith preached an able
sermon during the evening, which was
listened to by many white people.
am informed by the trustees that their
church cost them nearly three thousand
dollars. The old building in which the
congregation formerly held meetings was
curiosity to many who had never seen it
before yesterday. 1t has in time been n
school house and shoe shop.
The matter of dress was noticeable
feature at yesterdays gathering, because
it is seldom we see colored people in
country towns wearing better apparel,
both men and women. Hard times does
not seem to have bothered them much.