Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-06-01
OLD ST. STEPHENS PARISH
Celebration of Its 2OOth
Anniversary.
AN OCCASION OF RARE INTEREST
Bishop Coleman of Delaware
One of the Speakers.


vices We're held JO-daY IN ~, stephens l..
f. Church, near Earleylle, Cecil county,
in commemoration of the 2Obth anniScr-
sary of the founding Of North Sassatras
parish. The day was all that could be de-
sired and the church was throngGd by
large congregations. North Sassafras parish
is distinguished as being one nf tho oldest
religious organizations in the | niled states,
its history beginning about 90 years after
the organization of the Province Of Mary
land. Ample accommodations had been
provided by the ladies Of the church, u
bounteous collation. being served the visi-
tors.
The interior of the church was tastefully
decorated with floral designs, and special
music was rendered by the choir. The
exercises were conducted by Key. Albert
Ware, rector Of North Kent parish, and
Rev. William SchOuler, rector of Trinity
Church, Elkton, Dir. Grammer of Balti-
more, assisting. The exercises opened
with music The rector, Rev, Thomas
| Duncan, delivered an address OF welcome
| He was followed by Mr. Duncan Neazev
| of Baltimore, who, in felicitouS address,
| recounted the early history of Maryland
| with reference to the Episcopal church.
| 1t was philosophical discussion from
| political and religious standpoint, bearing
1 upon the birth of the church in the prov
ince of Maryland and the opening Of the
| way toward the establishment of North
Sassafras parish. Mr.. David 7. Davis re-
counted i'll detail the history of the parish
from lts foundation TO the close Of the first
century. Ills remarks were highly inter-
estiug. A pleasing poem. written for the
occasion by Mrs. Hardcastle, was read.
The closing address Of the morning was
delivered By Bishop Coleman OF Delaware
who feeliugly spoke of his fathers rcla-
tons with the parish rs rector and OF his
own carly associations with the church.
In the afternoon the first speaker was
II, 10.
his personal and his familys association
with the parish. His remarks were fclicit-
Gus and well chosen. lie paid Il feeling
tribute to the late Bishop Lay and also
spoke Of the need OF an energetic mis-
sionury spirit in thedloCeSe and the county
at large. The history of the parish for the
second century was read by Mr.. George
Bddlc, which was followed by an eloquent
closing address by Dr. Julius Il. Grammct
Of Christ Church, Baltimore. DR.. Granmei
paid high tribute to his companion OF
many years, Dr. Thomas Duncan, rector
OF 81. Stephens, and emphasized the point
of the need of Il Christian life in forming
a manly character and which was the trtlt
end sought by the church.
SKETCH OF THE CHURCH.
Previous to June 9Th, 1892 the Legisla
tire Of the province passed 'an act for tht
, service of Almighty God and the establish
ment OF the Protestant religion i'll til,
/ province and on the 22d OF November
{ following the board of commissioners D
Cecil county, Captain Charles Jones
! Colonel Casparus Hermen, Humphre,
Titon, William Ward, Henry Riggs, Johl
, James and William Elms, in conjunction
with a number of the treeholders Of tn
s county, in compliance with the act
/ established two districts or parishes The.
we're the parishes OF Worton and Souti
Sasdafras hundred and Of Nortl
!, Sassafras, Bohemia and Elk hun
drcds, and were called North and Suut
! Sassafras parishes. st. Stephens Churci
e dates its historical existence since til
J. 10th day of January 1893, the Rev
" Lawrence Nanderbush at that time bein
installed as rector. The vestry consistc,
OF Casparus Ilermen, William Ward, .ohl
II Thompson, Edward Jones, Henry RigS
y aud Matthias NaudeThuyden, Tobacco
d was then the principal medium of ca
G change, and in the following year at
q meeting of the ycstry it was ordered tha
g the T. 400 pounds of tobacco collecte
i during the year should be disposed Of j
/ the following way; 5000 pounds to tn
rector; $40 pounds to the sheriff for receil
ing il; 500 pounds to Thomas Pearce, CLERK
:, the remainder, 3,OlS pounds, to be place
y in the hands OF Edward Jones as til
:. amount necessary to detray the expense
II incurred in improving and repairing ia
Il Westinghouse which we have procure
for the present until God shall enable /
to build Il church" The taxables at tn
period were 81, representing the numbt
Of persons assessed within the limits {
"a the county.
N In 1886 the vestry decided that it W.
necessary to erect Il church, and the
accordingly purchased 100 acres Of lane
u in a convenient location, from Wllllal
N Ward for 5000 pounds Of tobacco, and
at little later 900 acres more were added
"a the purchase. A contract was made vii
Il Casparlls Hermcn to erect Il church
"A DriGk or stone - by 80 feet, the walls To |
- . feet thick at the foundation and
- inches above, they to be Il feet high,
~ have four windows, a folding door q fe
le WIDE beside other specifications, the col
" tract price being 5000 pounds Of topacc
ne Mr.. lleTmen died previous tothe building
" being commenced, and the contract,
Il aboNespecitied, was transferable Matthe
IF Hendrickson and James Smithaon.
!" The salaries Of the various rcctOrs we
10 paid III tobacco up to lSUG, when the lie
rs Henry Lyons Davis, father vi the la
$ Henry Winter Davis, was paid eluo spec'
and given the parsonage, with lireWoO
i for 20, lie remained the rector I'LL ISL
h, The salary was raised in ls0l to $3.50.
" June, 1873, il was decided to tear down q
- church, then i'll a rIlillutIs state, amt I
~ build. This building was conseGratad
D. Bishop Kemp July 2lst. lS2l ana stD,
c. Until ieII. Inc present church was bal
rs in 1874, the cost being SGb9S.3G. II
present rector is Rev. Or. Thomas Dunca
ana the ycstrymen, George Biddc, Day
l.. Davis, fl. W. Back, Thomas 9. Iruic
shank, q. =. Luspy, W. I Clarke, \.
at Dushane and j. Y. Calhoun.
THE RIVER SriNNED.