Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-30
NOTED CHURCH EVENT
ANNIVERSARY OF PREsBYTE-
RIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA.

Yesterday, the day set apart for the two
hundredth anniversary OF the establish
ment OF the Presbyterian Church in this
country at Rehoboth. Somerset county,
Nd, where Francis Mackenzie first preached
the doctrines OF Presbyterianism in the
year 1dS3. dawned with a cloudless sky and
perfect weather conditions. thus making
possible the attendance OF members OF all
denominations to Join In the all-day cele-
bration.
All roads led to Reh,both. The order of
service for the morning was a sermon by
Rev. DR.. w. ID. Wallace of Ramelton. Ire
land. who was sent here as a special en-
voy from the Presbyterian church of which
Francis Mackenzie was a member before
leaving the old world 10 preach the gospel
to the settlers of the new DIR. Wallace
is the fourteenth pastor OF his church since
Mackenzie left Ireland for America.
The service was attended by people from
towns far distant as Princess Anne and
Snow HILL at which place Mackenzie was
instrumental in erecting churches. the one
at Snow Hill bearing his name, Mackenzie
Memorial.
History of the Church.
The afternoon service was conducted by
Rev. ]. H. Moore pastor of the church OF
Pocomoke. in which he gave a very inter-
esting account of the history OF the church,
Maryland was the first OF the American
colonies TO grant religious federation TO
all creeds.
The next speaker was Mr.. John g. Nc
Master of Jersey City. formerly of this
town, who made quite an interesting adj
dress. In the last half of the seventeenth
century Col. William Stevens, a prominent
and wealthy citizen, crossed the Atlantic
and settled on the banks OF the Pocomoke
river.
The place bears the name he gave
II, Rehoboth. Shortly after his settling the
court of Somerset equity was instituted. and
he was made judge. which position he held
until death. Colonel Stevens was a Pres
byterian. and in due course OF time asked
the Presbytery of Ireland to send a min
lister to this country, which request was
granted, and in the year 1853 the records
show that Francis Mackenzie was preaching
at Rehoboth.
"By the Side of Virginia"
History also records that his efforts did
not stop here but this was only the be-
ginning, for in due course of time he or
ganized Manokn Church, which still bears
the name first given II. and is located In
the town of Princess Anne, and one at
Snow Hill and still another by the side
of Virginia" known as Pitts Creek Church.
The term by the side of Virginia" is used
because the church was built very close
to the line between Virginia and Maryland.
AS he was not allowed TO preach in the
colony OF virginia. ana tneTe DelnS Set
tiers in this colony of the Presby
faith, Mackenzie erected church as near
his followers was permissible.
In 1905 Mackenzie crossed the Atlantic 10
attend PreSbytery meeting In Ireland,
and returned during the following year and
erected the present church at Rehoboth on
his own land. 1t during this year that
the first General Presbytery of Philadelphia
was organized in America, and Francis
Mackenzie was made the first moderator
Thus 1t was that the old church at Re-
hoboth is called the mother of ten thou
sand churches"
In the year 1907, while Mackenzie was
prosecuting his modest work and endeavor-
Ing to spread It throughout the colonies,
Lord Cornbury of New York had him ar
rested and imprisoned for the crime OF
preaching the gospel and bapuZing a child.
He was acquitted, but was compelled TO
pay the COSTS OF over 800. He died in the
year 170S, leaving in his will the land upon
which the church at Rehoboth stood to
the church.