Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-06-02

OF the congregation again al bafore. on
account of this promise. Then his
written confession of his foolishnesF
and wrong toward God, inc ami thu
congregation was read bur no has kept
himself ut home up to the present
time. -
CONSIDERATION OF THE CHUrCn.
The new church was consecrated on
Holy Trinity Sunday, July 18th, 1868,
tho Rev. Messrs. Biork, Andrew Rudman
and Joseph Aureon conducting the eer
vices After the conclusion OF the
exercises, the notable strangers were
entertained at John Sialcop's house
with food. wine and beer. Afterwards
all Tho rost received refreahmnn.
The cost Of the church was estimated
to be ES00, Pennsylvania currency, all
labor anu gifts heing reckoneh at the
ordinary price. The congregation paid
a considerable part of the money nsces-
sary for tho payment OF the masons
carpenters, &C., and what was needed
beside was borrowed from Jonn Hanson
Stclman, wealthy Sweie, at Elk
River, Md.
The Rev. Mr. Bjoik proved an in.
defatigable workar for the welfare of
his people. lie occurred from John
Stalcop farm of 500 acres aH glsbe
for the use Of the ministers of the
parish and also land for the enlarge.
ment Of the church yard.
THUS in tbs abort time Of three or
four years. writes DR.. Burr, "he had
laid foundations for this depressed and
disheartened community and by his
exhortations and example Infused life
and energy into his people, calling them
together often to lay his plans before
them, and by his unremitting and UNI
selfish devotion to tho interest and vel
fare OF the church, gaining their con-
tidence and stimulating them to work
earnestly and faithfully for ths-com mon
good -
With Biork and his colleagues "began
that close ami intimate connection with
the Englsh Episconal clergy aud con
gregations which remained unbroken
for century. and led to the absorption
of the Swedish churches into the
Protestant Episcopal communion whsn
they hal ceased TO understand the
language Of their fathers and the direct
union with the mother church was
dissolved. "
Mr.. Biork started back to Sweden on
Juns 29th, I'LL. having boen recalled
by King Charles XII, and was ap-
pointed pastor OF the Copperburg
Church, city of Fahlun. in Dalecartin.
From that place was sent in l7lS, a
beautiful cbalice and paten Of silver
given to holy Trinity Church by the
mining company of that city, result
of Bjork's loving emembrance OF his
first charge here 10 the wilderness.
This communion service is still used
on anniversary and special occasions.
OTHER PASTORS OF OLD swEDEs.
Magister A. Hesselius and Abrah am
Lidenius succeeded Biork in charge
of Holy Trinity Church. Riork acting
for time as provost of all the Swedish
churches. Lidenius was sent to take
charge of the congregation On the oaat
aide of the Delaware, where the Rev.
Jonns Aureun had been located, and a
church being built, the Christina
congregation helped pay for it as they
had agreed when thUss on the east side
aided in the building of the Christina
church.
Hessslius was pastor of Holy Trinity
until 1928, and was followed by his
brother, Samuel, who continued until
1871. The Rev. John Enneberg next
took charge and remained until l742.
The Rev. Potter Tranbsrg was pastor
from August lst. 1742. to Nuvem Der
Sth, l74s. lie lies buried 10 font of
the altar in the old church.
The Rev. Israel Acrelius. the histo-
rian, who was transferred from Raccoon
and Penn's Muck to Christina, was
pastor beginning November, l749, for
about six years. the Rev. Eric Unander
succeeding him. Uuander secured a
charter Octohsr 9th, 1859, the cor
porate title being the Minister, Church
Wardens and VestrymenIof the Swedes
Lutheran Church, called Trinity
Church, in the borough of Wilmington.
This is the present legal title, with
the exception that the word minister"
has been stricken out This hadeaong
been necessity, as the property, hg
bad management and dishonesty" Of
agents, hnd more than one half bebn
lost, and not being a body, corporate,
the church as such could give no legal
title.
Magistrate Andrew Borrell was M
charge from 1760 until 176S. and was
succeeded by the Rev. Lawrence Girs-
Inns, who in l770 hogan TO instruct the
children in the English catechism.
lie waH made provost Of all the churches
in that year, and continued in charge
of Trinity parish until 1901. at which
time tho Swedieh superintendent was
officially discontinued.
AN EPI- oBPAL CLEEGYMANTAKEs CHARGE
Soon after his departure the vestry
called the Rev. Joseph Clarkson, a
clergyman of the Episcopal Church,
who remained until 1900.
Succeeding pastors were tho Reys.
William Price, 1883 to 1872; William
Weeks, 1914 to 1877; Levi Bull, 1918 to
1919; Richard ID. Hall, 1919 to 1921 !;
Ralph Williston, 1922 to 1927; Pierce
Connolly, 1927 to 1928; Isaac Pardee,
1928 to 1885.
A new house Of worship was erected
at Fifth and King streets and the con
gregation OF Holy Trinity Church
removed there at Christmas. 1880. The
old church was then in a dilapidated
Some repairs were made in
1876, and in August. lS42, tho interior
having been renovated through the
libelality of Miss Henrietta Almond,
who willed 800 for that purpose, the
church was reopened for occasional
services. Bishop Lee said prayers and
read the lessons and the Rev J. w.
Mccullough. rector Of the pariah,
preached. 10 1877, it was iecilied by
the vestry to hold eervices there every
Sunday afternoon. Later the did bell
WINS recast aud ordered rung for services
at both CHURCHES 10 February. 1913,
it was resolved to keep the offerings at
the old church separate and that they
he subject to the order of the assistant
minister. In 1862 the Rev. Walter
Franklin was chosen assistant minister.
Among his SUCCESSORS were the Revs