Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-11-28
BISHOP COLEMAN'S ADDRESS
His Remarks, Wednesday, in
Philadelphia.
CHRIST CHURCH Bl-CENTENNlAL
The Anniversary Pleasantly
Celebrated.


Christ Episcopal Church, Philadel-
phia, pleasantly celebrated its bi. CEN
tennial anniversary Wednesday. The
attendance was large. Music was fur
nished by the vested choir of Christ
Church chapel, which was largely
augmented for the occasion. An inter
esting address was delivered by Bishop
Coleman. Following is an abstracts
10 some Of us there is no branch of
history so attractive as church history.
This Is eminently true of that portion
which ie connected with our own coun-
try. And this has very largely to do
with Christ Church, Philadelphia. In
certain way it is the mother church
of the whole American church. When
the present building was erected Phila-
delphia had scarcely more than 5000
inhabitants. When the city had grown
sufficiently the vestry of this parish set
about establishing other congregations
for example. st. Peters, and then st.
james,.
The service of this evening being SO
largely u musical one, it may not be
| amiss for me to notice how much at
tention church music has always re-
ceived at the hands of the parochial
authorities. In the early part OF 1863
provision was made for the erection Of
an organ in St. Peters Church, and in
the latter part OF tho same year steps
were taken TO procure one for Christ
Church.
The children of the united congre-
| cations had for some time been, as the
records express it. 'emproved in the
art Of psalmody." Mr.. William Young
and Mr.. Francis Hopkinson are men
toned as having shown much interest
in instructing them. Mr.. Hopkinson
was, perhaps ! need hardly add, one Of
the signers of the Declaration of indie
pendence, and also distinguished
| iurist and poet. For while, during
the absence of the regular organist, he
served in this capacity.
In 1916 pariahoner left by will a
share in the Bank of Pennsylvania,
then valued at $500, as a nucleus of a
fund for teaching six boys as a choir
to sing in the orchestra" as it is OK
pressed. Whether or not these boys
were surpliced am unable to say As
far back as 1893 there was surpliced
| choir of men and boys in st. Michael's
Church, Charleston, S. G.
The authorities of Christ Church
were early mindful of the advantages
of what is known as congregational
singing" for we find that in 1885 the
following resolution was passed at a
vestry meeting, viz.
" Resolved, That the clerks be de-
sired to sing such tunes only as are
plain and familiar TO the congregations
the singing of other tunes and the fire..
quent changing Of tunes being, to the
certain knowledge of this vestry, gen
orally disagreeable and inconvenient. "
DIR. Dorr well calls this "a whole
some resolution. f"
In your history Delaware must always
feel an especial interest, not only be-
cause we are now such near neighbors,
but also because, while we were still
| rockoned in 1.-The three lower counties
Of Pennsylvania" and even when wa
had achieved our State independence,
we received the blessing which came
from the occasional visits and tempo
lrary oversight of your sainted rector,
Bishop White. And so, in your COM
memorative services this, we may moi
improperly ask the place of kindred.
Certain, it is, we offer you our hearty
congratulations and the assurance of oul
equally hearty prayers for the continu,
ance to you OF the abundant favor oil
the God and Father of us all.