Evening journal., 1908-06-06
TO CELEBRATE
ANNIVERSARY
Memorial Services Will b.
Held in Old Drawers
Church Tomorrow
Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.

Special TO THE EVENING JOURNAL.
ODESSA. Del. June sold Drawers
Presbyterian Church. ono mile from
Odessa. formerly Cantwelrs Bridge, so
called from the fact that the Genera,
Court granted to Richard Cantwell
authority TO establish toll bridge
there m 17S1.) WIN celebrate its e0Oth
anniversary Tomorrow Friends of 'he
church from far and near will gather
once more to see the venerable struc-
ture. to visit the tombs of their fathers.
and to meet again the friends OF long
ago. Each year. at this time, these
reunions are held. with much pleasure
and profit to all.
The field of this congregation began
to be settled about the wear 1911 The
Rev. Nathaniel Taylor Is known 70
have settled here In 1858, and Il Is
probable he gathered together this
congregation long previous 10 100 In
170S. the Presbytery of New Castle re-
ceived a letter from persons residing
here, asking for a preacher, and tho
Rev. John Wilson. OF New Castle was
ordered 10 preach "ouce q month. on a
week day" Mr. Wilson was one of
the original members of the first Pres
bytery established I'm the United States
The first church building was erected
in I'LL. on lands purchased from one
John Peterson. and wes of wood This
was the second Presbyterian Church
organized in New Castle county and
probably the second In the State Three
Presbyterian churches have been forr-
ed bv divisions of this congregation.
This church building was enlarged IN
1876. and the burying ground was en-
closed for the first time IN 1897.
In 1853. the church building having
decayed and being unfit for house Of
Worship, a subscription was raised Cor
the purpose OF erecting the present
structure. a building committee being
appointed. with Peter Airichs as treas
urer This house was rot built. how
ever. until 1873. the bricks being burnt
on the farm of Robert Meldrum, now
owned by Frank J. Pennington. ns-yr
Odessa, and part OF It was not plaster
ed until 1923. The materials and
workmanship are of the most SUBJ
stantial character
The name of Mrs Mary Hili, who
was considered a benefactor of the
church. Is carved on marble slab in
the wall Of the church. on which the
following inscription IS made:
The Church OF the First Presbyterian
Society of this Hundred
Built A. ID. 1Ts3.
Rev. Thomas Read. A. M. Pastor.
This stone was the gift of Mrs
Mary Hill
Serve the Lord with gladnss.
Ps. 100: 2d."
Mrs. Hill was a granddaughter Of
Peter Alrichs. a governor Of Delaware.
Later another stone was placed on
the opposite side of the pulpit. with
this inscription:
This site purchased May 10th. I'LL.
The first church tuilt I'LL.
Rev. John Wilson, Pastor. 1908.
Your fathers. where are they?' "
A tablet TO The memory of the late
Lewis c. Vandegrift. Of Wilmington.
was placed on the wall two years ago.
Mr.. Vandegrlft was tho founder Of the
society known as "The Friends Of Old
Drawers. organized in 1895. TO pre-
serve the old church property. The
officers Of the Friends Of Old
| Drawers" are ID. W. Corbit. presi-
dent: J. V. Craven. vice-president;
Miss S. Cornelia Bowman. secretary
and George Janvier. treasurer. The
trustees are Isaac J. Woods. Clarence
e. Pool. Howard A. Pool. Mrs. Lewis
c. Vandegrift and H. IT, Boyd.
on Sunday morning, the Rev George
Hanley WALES. of Philadelphia, Will
preach the sermon, and in the after
noon. Hon. Anthony Higgins. of VIII
mington. viii make an address.
The Presbyterian Churches in this
vicinity will be closed that all NAV
have an opportunity to visit the mother
church.