Evening journal., 1889-10-18
LAST EDITION
AssuRY CENTENNIAL.
Historical Psrers on Union, Ezion and
wesley Churches Read.

Historical Papers on Union, Ezion and
wesley Churches Read.
The fifth day of the exercises at Asbury
M. f. Church was marked By large
crowds g. w. Joseph of Union Church
presided at the 2 30 o clock meeting Rev.
] K Waters OF Ezion Church read a
short paper on its progress. 1t is the
mother of the colored churches of the
state. On January 8, 1886, when almost
free from debt, it was burned to the
ground. But the members worked
energetically and new church building
was completed in September of the same
year The church has at present 5S1
members with eighty-two probationers,
making total Of 613 in the church The
Sunday school has a membership Of 5S7
scholars, divided into thirty three
classes The church has expended for
ministerial purposes 81. 230 and for con.
ference collections, $5l3. Ezion has three
daughters Haven, Wilmington and
New Castle.
Rev. Adam Stengle, pastor of Union
Church, read the history of the church,
fourth daughter OF Asbury. The church
was founded in 1947 by Rev. Edward
Kennard, who had moved from Elkton,
Md. with his family. In March 1S47 mis-
church had ffty.three members. In
1S49 Rev. H. 5. Atmore was appointed to
the charge with Rev Edward Kennard
as supernumerary The church then had
seventy three mem bers, one local preacher
and enc Sunday school with 100 scholars
Under Mr. Atmore's pastorship it was
decided to build more commodious
structure and lot was purchased at
Second and Washington streets. The
corner stone was laid with Masonic cere-
monies. The church was greatly in
jurei by lack Of subscriptions and inter-
nal dissensons. II was dark period. but
light was about TO dawn. Miss Margaret
RumfCrd, q member of Asbury Church,
personally contributed and solicited
funds sufficient to put roof on the build
ing
The Philadelphia Conference appointed
Rev. Andrew Manship pastor Of Union
Mission in 1850 He found the church
thoroughly disorganized with debt Of
So. 900 But he started heroicaly TO
work, held meetings in Odd Fellows
Hall which was then used during the
week for theatrical purposes. The society
grew rapidly, notwithstanding all hard
ships The trustees of st. Paufs denoted
Rev Mr.. Manship their lecture room for
two evenings in the week At an early
date q new board of directors was chosen.
Asa Poinsett, George McGee, John Ru-
dolph, Grubb palley Albert Thatcher,
Thomas H. Baynard and Edward Moore
They pushed the church to completion at
cost of $4,000
The church was dedicated by Bishop
James on Thursday. November %, 1850
During the day the debt was reduced to
So, 400 and that WAS paid after brief
Interval At the close of the first year
there were 15A members; 140 probation
ers, and 200 scholars in the Sunday
school Cyrus Stern was the first super
inten lent The church membership
grew So raoidiy in 1865, it was decided to
build larger edifce. The following
committee was appointed on site for
the new church Pastor ]. d. Curtis,
stephen postles, Cyrus Stern, J. c.
Pickles, ASS POinsett, William Ed mund-
son and Wesley TAlley The committee
selected the los a. Fifth and Washington
streets, on whicn the church now stands
Stephen Postles, Cyrus Stern and letters
Nc JuliougL were appointed the building
committee. Mr. Postles contributed over
one-tanth az tile cost of the church The
church was dadicated by Bishop Scott on
Nov. IL. 1863. .Che cost was $36. 900
which was paid The church now has a
debt Of few thousand dollars The
church has 640 members. and q Sunday
school Of 500 scholars. 1t has had
twenty-one pastors since its beginning
Among the old members of the church
who still retain interest are Miss Mar
garet Rumford, Cyrus Stern, Caroline
Stern, Eliza Harris, Susan Sinex, Susan
Foord, Cathsrine Kelley, Mary A. Flagler,
Joaua Gordon Hannah Mcdonnell, Mary
Robinson and others.
A recess Of five minutes was taken
that subscriptions for the centennial
book may Da received. Rev. w. G.
Koous read the history of Wesley
Church, after which IF ither" Hance
made a short address Rev. j. A. B.
Wilson, pastor OF Asbury 1889
preached il tue evening