Evening journal., 1905-06-24
Special to The Evening Journal.

Middletown, June 24.-The two hum
dredth anniversary Of old st. Anne's
Episcopal Church, which is located one
mile south Of Nilddletown on the north
ern edge of Appoquinimink hundred,
will be celebrated tomorrow. It will
also be the occasion of the annual re-
union. Bishop Coleman will preach
the sermon at the morning service and
st Anne's choir will have charge of
the music. In the afternoon the rec
tor. the Rev. w. ]. willde. will deliver
an historical address, giving a short
history of the old church.
Among the guests expected from
distance in addition to Bishop Coleman
are the Rev. w. G. w. Lewis, of New
York State, a former rector Of the
parish, the Rev. Henry Chamberlaine,
Of New York. who formerly lived here,
and Governor Lea, of Wilmington, who
will be the guest Of Odessa relatives.
The address of Mr.. Wilkie will be
a valuable historical contribution. AL
though all of the early records of St
Anne's parish have been lost and for
its history prior to 1903 Delawareans
are dependent on scattered sources Of
information, the rector has gotten to-
gether important data.
It seems to be generally agreed that
1905 should be assigned as the birth
year of the parish. Doubtless there
were at that time many people in this
vicinity whose early training had been
in the Church of England, and though
they had been for many years destitute
Of religious privileges, the existence of
parishes not far away. in Maryland,
may have proved in various ways a
blessing to them, and perhaps encour-
aged them in the hope Of having in
due time, a spiritual home for them
selves.
MOVEMENT OF 17O5.
What led to the movement in 1705
is not known, but it is hard not to con-
meet it with the memorable joining OF
George Keith, the pioneer missionary
of the S. p. G. (Society for the Propa-
CATION OF the Gospel, that society
which has since done such a blessed
work in many parts of the world, was
established in 1901. The first under
taking was to ascertain the facts in
regard to the spiritual condition, Of the
colonists on the Atlantic coast George
Keith was chosen to perform this inn
portant task. and in fulfilling his
charge travelled "betwixt Piscataway
river in New England and Corretuck
in North Carolina, of extent in length
about 500 miles"
He visited existing parishes to as
certain their condition and needs, and
he also sought out opportunities OF
establishing new posts, wherever he
met with a favorable reception. This
took place in 1902 and the year fol-
lowing. There is no record to show
that Mr.. Keith ever visited Appoquini-
mink. but it is very probable that he
did so. for he was at New Castle in
April. 1903, and the fact that the peo-
pie were ready so soon after to begir
their church, can be best accounted fol
as a result of his suggestion and en-
couragement.
The first structure was Of wood anc
was erected before the people had any
settled minister. They were favored
with occasional services by the Rev
Mr.. Sewel of Maryland. and the Rev
Mr.. Crawford, a missionary of the $
p. G in Dover hundred. Very early
however they applied for a missionar,
for themselves. and in compliance will
their request, the Rev. Mr.. jenkins wal
sent from England.
on arriving at his destined field o
work. he found the people scattered
over a wide area Of country and mas
much as New Castle seemed to him {
more promising field being settled
closer and more commodious" he ven
tured without authority from the so
ciety to establish himself there, no
neglecting altogether. however, minis
terial duties at the place to which HI
had been sent.
QUEEN ANNE'S GIFT.
When the society was informed o
his course he was directed to returl
to Appoauinimink. which he did il
17OS. There he gathered a large con
gregation of two hundred people and
is recorded that thirteen people re
ceived the Holy Communion when h
first administered that sacrament
Many persons also began preparin
themselves for adult baptism and tn
condition of the work seems to hav
been in every way most encouraging
But Mr.. Jenkins ministry was termi
mated by death only five months afte
his return. It was in these very earl
days Of the parish that Queen Ann
expressed her interest in the paris
by sending an embroidered altar clotf
= portion Of which bearing her initials
"a. r. is still preserved.
ter the death Of the first minister
tt was some years before the people o
tlppoquinimink again had a regula
paTtor. During this interval occasion
~ services were rendered by the Rev
Eric Bjork, the well known pastor @