Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-03-02
OLD SWEpES CHURCH.
Pro.ress of the Work of Aiteration--sIore
Eunas Needed.


Eunas Needed.
An important meeting Of the com
mittee of the vcstry Of Trinity parish
in charge of the renovation of HOLY
Trinity Told Swedesj Church, was
held recently. The original plans Of
the committee provided for the struct-
ural preservation of the building by
removing decayed and worm, eaton wood
and replacing it with sound wood and
repairing the unsightly conditions Of
tho interior side walls and coiling.
Tho only work of restoration included
was the replacing of the outside stairs
to the gallery which were originally
placed in the south porch. This
work has now progressed towards final
completion. All tho carpenter work
has boon done, including new roof OF
river cypress shingles, a rebuilding of
the upper cupola, which was found in
state of extreme dilapidation from
decay and the new outside stairway
to the gallery. Practically the only
work remaining to be done is the paint.
ing of the interior wood work and side
walls and repairs to the ceiling.
These plans involve an expenditure
of about 50, 800, and funds have not yet
been received to meet the expenses in
cured. The committee felt confident,
however, that they would have the sup
port of the community in this epdeavor
to preserve this ancient building,
unique in its antiquity in this country,
and feel sure that funds will be pro-
yided for the needs of the work.
The committee have realized that the
work of restoration should include
other characteristic features of the
interior of the church, and that the
old pews and the brick floor should be
restored and the pulpit replaced to its
original position on the north wall be-
tween the easterly window and the door
to the sacristy or vesting room, and the
prospect for accomplishing this work
| is now very good.
The floor Of the church was originally
of brick and partly of fat stones, but
mostly of brick, and it so remained
until the renovation of the church in
1872, accomplished through the liber-
| the present wooden floor was laid about
one foot higher than the brick floor.
But tho original bricks were not re-
moved and are still there where origin
ally placed, 200 years ago. 1t is now
proposed to restore the brick floor on
the allies using these indentical ancient
bricks. The pews in the body Of the
church we're of the same design as
those in the gallery and the handmade
hinges and hand-turned mouldings are
very interesting. An old ground plan
drawing made prior to 1850, shows the
exact arrangement of the pews, pulpits,
chancel, communion table, altar and
chancel rails and this will be followed
exactly as far rs any work is done.
There were long pews in the western
part of the church, shorter pews in the
front and pews and seats along the
south and north walls, Pews for the
men were on the south side of the
main aisle and for the women on the
north. The children were expected to
stand in the aisles when the pews were
full, says the old record. The chancel
arrangements and the pews in the chan
eel railing cannot be restored without
removing the pipe organ, and for other
reasons But all the other pews will be
restored in the original style, leaving
main aisle eight feet wide. it
The pulpit has stood in its present
place since 1882, for many years prior
to that it stood on top of the altar i'm
mediately in front of the east window.
Its original position was on the north
wall Immediately east of the easterly
window in the north wall. The lower
part or base of the pulpit has been
taken away in past years and the pull
pit lowered so that the design OF the
base is unknown. 1t is supposed to
have been chalice shaped, according
to the custom then and heretofore pre-
vailing, and this form of base will
probably be used when the pulpit is
replaced. Information on this subject
will be gladly received by the COM
miutee.
The funds for the restoration of the
pews and brick floor and replacing the
pulpit will be provided by friends of
the old building outside this State,
and those here who desire to show an
interest and have share in the res
toration and preservation Of this build
ing can Communicate with Charles M.
Curtis 907 Market street, the secretary
and treasurer of the committee.