Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-04-04
oLD SWEDfS' RENOVATION.
Comprehensive Action by tho
Church Wardens.

Oficinl Appeal for Public Aih-Iho
Venerable Historic Pile IN Decsy-A
Thorough Repair Nordod-rhe Interior
ia o Diiapidated Condition The Ancient
Structure Needs q Now Rooi-Tho
Seventh Street wall Must he Rebuilt
An In Preparation for the 20oth Anni-
veTsary In 1903.
The church wardens of Trinity parish
have at length determined on compre..
.hensive and thorough action in regard
to the extreme condition OF dilapidation
in which the Old Swedes Church now IL.
4. At meeting held March 10Th it was
determined to publish the following
public "Appeal for Old lswcdos Church,
Wilmington, Dol;"
PUBLIC APrgAL. rU
There is a need Of funds tn make certain
necessary repairs and improvements to Olu
Swedcs Church and the walls of the
clurchyard. Tho easterly wall running
along Church Lane fran Seventh street 10
the railroad is in q state of dilapidalion.
part of it having fallen down January llth
1895. The wall along Seventh street needs
TO be relad and repaired. II Is proposed
either TO make thewalls higher or to erect
on top of the wall nh iron fence about 4
feet high to protect the yard from tres
passers. When these things are done the
Churchyard will be surrounded by good
stone wall that will last many years: For
this purpose 5000 is needed Immediately
so that the work may be undertaken as
| early us possible.
The church building needs attention
| also. 1t needs new roof The interior
| Of tho church has become unsightlv
| because he paint oil the walls has scaled
off in many places, and the ceiling plaster
is broken in places and about ready to in!l.
| The wood WORK of the gallery and in
other places has rotted away aud should
be replaced. The cost Of these latter I'M
proyements ii Is hard to estimate, but
$1,000 could be spent to great advantage,
and SO preserve for many years this
| ancient structure.
Easter Day in 1905 will be the 200th an
niversary OF the conservation OF this build
ing, and it is hoped that the improvements
may be made before this time ut least
II is necessary to make this appeal, an {
those who feel attached to this historic
relic should be given an opportunity to hell
in the preservation of it. This appeal IL
made by the wardens with the approva
of tho vestry of Trinity parish.
Subscriptions may be made payable IL
instalments running for two or more year
and will be received by Charles ". Curtis
Junior Warden, address Equitable Build
ing, Wilmington, Del.
Horace Burr.
CHARLES NJ. CURTIS.
Church Wardens.
WILMINGTON, DEL. March nth, 1915.
Theopen letter Of the church warden
is addressed not alone 10 the citizens 0
Wilmington and Of this State, but to nj
Americans who have an Affection 10
the few remaining landmarks OF thci
common country. There is no create
Colonial monument than the ancien
structure of Old Swedes Church build
ing, for whose preservation from deca.
and fast appearing dilapidatlon the.
make the public appeal.
The officials statement discloses til
present condition Of tho old hnildin
and reveals the fact that their action
taken not moment too soon.
The appeal contemplates two point
--one, the immediate repair OF tho wal
at Seventh street, and second, the NOR
comprehensive point of general an
. worthy renovation Of the ancient pill
The church wardens' desire is To max
arrangements that this be effected,
possible, as an castor thank-otlering, q
/ the date of the 200th anniversary OF TIL
erection of Old Swede., in 1898.
t 1t is reported that the sole means /
the hands of the church officials is
fund of $4,000 or $4,000, the interest {
which is applied to the needs OF currer
q repair and needs. None OF this eau b
: used for the purpose of church remove
t ton.