Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-06-01


Of hoar Antiquity, but strewn with flowers.
Thomas Warton.
Historical and reverential interest
centred Sunday in Holy Trinity, Old
Swcdes Church, which showed the
yery yigor Of youth at tho commemora-
tion of its centennial. Had ono
without knowledge of the church's
antiquity been visitor within its
sturdy walls his first impression must
have been that here was now structure
being set apart for the worship OF Gud.
Yet he must soon have noticed that
tho pews were of old fashioned form
and that the aisies were OF brick rather
than wood. Then, too, had he in
spected portrait hanging in the beliry
Of the edifice, he would have seen that
il represented man who was pastor of
the church as far back as 1897. So
that he would begin to realize that per-
sons of. the present day had been moved
to renew and restore the ancient
structure and that he was present when
il was starting for another conflict
with the ravages of time.
II was a great day for the old church.
A portrait Of its first pastor was pre-
sented to it. Its regular congregation
u
Trinity Church, both churches being
within Trinity Parish, and by repre-.
sentatives from different societies. and
by many who had contributed to the
work of restoration. Descendants of
shippers. The edifice was rededicated
as house of worship by the bishop of
the diocese, and two prominent clergy
tlaI hn1
mons in accord with the spirit of
cerned to make 1t bright and happy
day and to emphasize the appropriate
ness of the lines that are cut beneath
and Mrs. James A. Bayard:
Hark how the sacred calm that breathes
Bids every fierce, tumultuous passion
In still. small accents whispering from the
A grateful earnest of eternal peace.
Not the least pleasing feature of the
day was the distribution of souvenir.
This was from the John NJ. Rogers
PresSx On the cover page was a head
pVhe stproduced from drawing by
hen H{PyIa In addition to the pro.
EDsta' grse OF services, the souvenir con,
had ta@portrait of the first pastor, Mr..
is.,ilKsihnd view of the south porch
| showing the stairway to the gallery.
I A view was also given of the church
after l774 and before 1902. The sue
cession Of clergy was shown, Mr.. Henry
being the 25th, and brief chronology.
cal sketch given of the church.
Morning prayer was said in the old
church at 8 O. clock and the elaborate
service of benediction and celebration
Holy Communion began about TO- 35.
Prior to the hour for the latter service,
invited guests began to be numerous
and the church became well filled with
members and contributors and repre-
sentatives of various societies of ar
historical character. These all were
delighted with the appearance of com
pete restoration displayed by the
ancient edifice. The new white marble
altar, adorned with rcd, white anc
yellow roses, white carnations ant
smilax, the new high backed pew!
with doors, q copy of the original pews,
the restoration Of the original entranc,
to the gallery. staircase in the soutl
porch; the old fashioned brick aisle
the bishops massive chair in tn,
chancel, made of wood of. the churci
itself, and last but not least, the por
l. tait of the Rev. Ericus Tobias Biorck
the first pastor of the church. a gift o
the mining company in Fahlun whicl
presented the silver service to th
church in IT'S, all these were of especia
interest to visitors and worshippers
An aluminium shield on the outsid
ilaircase told that it had been presented
hy the Society of Colonial Wars in tn
State of Delaware A tablet on a pes
ironting on the cross aisle told that tn
lews were restored by the Colonia
Danes of America. A plate on tn
olshop's chair showed that it WAS pre-
Mhtcd by the widow Of the Rev. Charlie
bFeck. Tho chair is about feet higl
hhd beautifully carved.
SERVICE OF BENEDIcTIoN.
The service began with q processio
me eLXxXIV Psalm, beginning !" o no,
lmiahle are thy dwellings, thou Lor
~, hosts being recited alternately
Ihe Rev. j. Leighton McISim of Mil
,ord, who acted as the bishops char
sin, led the way, followed by Bisho
coleman, the Revs. Fl. Ashton Henry
rector, and Martin B. Dunlap, vicar G
ae parish; Richard III. Nelson, recto
81 st. Peters Church, Philadelphia
i Gardiner Littell, d. D., of Ney
Nlork; f. M. Munson, LII. d., q
SeW Castle and Jesse G. Taylor q
LeWes. Then came the choir, fol
Iwed by the vestry of the parish
S%Gna s. Grohe, senior warden; Charle
y y. Curtis, junior warden Hon. lgna
sHus g, Grubb, Thomas T.. Carpenter
W., aylmer Robinson, Tilghman John
1pn, ~ Edward T. Candy, Joseph Swift
Silaarles A. Cook, Samuel G. Biddle an
Henry B. Thompson.
Inc CXXII Psalm was also recited an
=. ls conclusion Bishop Coleman al
auuhced that when the church was cor
iouta,ed 200 years ago, its revere
,,Tl.uhder, standing in tho midst of th
e,'al, said the XIV Psalm. sit wi
~, ~ said now," added the bishop
,.n 10 connection with the benedictio
,',ylce sn, Tho bishop and other clerg
tt"'ered toae the chancel; and the yestryme
",h a.. seats loft of the chancel.
nm nniter the XXIV Psalm, which begins
aale aane earth is the Lords and all tn,
See SS'efein is, " had been read alternatol,
,se, so request for the benediction W;
iau ny John s.. Grohe, senior warde
1M .Ie parish. II was as follows:
10 the Right Reverend Leightc
DISnan, 5. L. d., LII. D., Bishop
On behalf As Ts;u;t,, p..;sL 4. .,