Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-04-12

In addition TO il being Easter, with the
usual beautiful services of the day, next
Sunday will be a day long to be remem-
bered in the history Of Trinity Protestant
Episcopal Church. as the entire debt of
the church, $4,000. is TO be wiped out
then. and il will be the first time for
many years that the church has been
without debt.
OF the amount required Si4.S7O has
been subscribed 20 date by l57 persons
and the officials feel sure that the re-
mainder viii be raised by Sunday.
Much OF the credit for the present
excellent condition OF the church is due
to the rector. Rev Frederick NJ kirkus
Although he has been rector but little
over one year, Mr.. kirlSus has done a won
deriul work in that time. The movement
for liquidating the debt was started last
November, and at that time Mr.. kirlSus
felt that he could accomplish il by Easter
which will be done With the exception
of about three months the church has
been in debt more or less for the past IS
years.
Trinity and Old Swedes Churches are the
same parish, but separate congregations
under one vestry. The debt to be wiped
out however. is all on the Trinity Church
property, at Delaware avenue and Adams
street
Trinity Church dates back to 1898
when it was at Fort Christine In 1917
church was built at the mouth of the
Christiana River, and in 1898 HOLY
Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, at the foot
OF Seventh street was erected. Thirty
two years later the congregation built
another church on the northeast corner
of Fifth and King streets. At this time
Old Swedes was closed for short time.
but was opened again and has been a
part of Trinity parish ever since.
In 1884 the property az Fifth and King
streets was sold and chapel erected on
Adams street below Delaware avenue.
which is now occupied as the parish build
ing. IL was when the King street property
was sold that the church became clear
of debt but IL Immediately assumed
another debt of 50 600 70 build the chapel.
Tho present Trinity Church was built in
1891. II cost $4,000, of which amount
S20O0O was borrowed on a mortgage. II
is what remains of that mortgage that is
being paid of now.
Mr.. kirkus is sending ont the following
lcttor 10 the members OF his congregation:
April 10th, 1906.
My Dear Friends and Parishioners 7
am sending you just a last word Of en-
couragemeut and congratulation concern
ing the great work which we are all uniting
90 do on Faster Day in making an offer
ing for the elimination Of our church debt
! do not feel that any further appeal
can at this late day he necessary. MANY
Of you have already indicated the amount
of your subscriptions, and tho rest. feel
quite sure have been making plans IA
give as literally as possible AZ tho time
the offering is received
So much has been assured hy advance
subscriptions, that It is inconceivsble
that there should nov be even a psrtial
failure in the work we have undertaken.
and ] am implicitly trusting each and
all OF YOU 70 do your very best. When
we consecrate the church it should he
the people offering 10 God. and am
anxious Tor your own sakes thst not one
shall lack the privilege Of PARTICIPATION.
Some large gifts are still needed, but il
your ability is small, the little YOU can
spare will be equally acceptable 10 God
l know you viii do what you can; and
lteel assured that the result will be that tho
joyous Easter festival will be for an of us
a day rich in blessings, and one long 10 he
remembered in the history of Trinity
parish,
With all good wishes, believe me
Your faithful rector.
I1raaoriolr Al