Evening journal., 1912-05-30
OLD DRAWERS
ANNIVERSARY

Special TO THE EVENING JOURNAL
MIDDLETOWN. Del. May 30-On
next Sunday, June 2, Drawers Day,
will be observed by the people of
Middletown. Odessa, st. Georges and
the surrounding neighborhood. This
is a day OF widespread interest, even
those who are not directly connected
with IL or concerned In its welfare,
going TO see the crowd or to hear the
speakers OF the day. The singing
also is an attraction TO music lovers.
The Odessa chorus choir usually fur
nishes the music, assisted by Mrs
Warden r. Humphreys, OF Whining
ton. IN clear weather the church
cannot hold the people. many OF whom
remain outside during the services.
Most OF the congregation take their
lunch with them, many Of them hav-
ing a number OF visitors, making the
noon hour seem like picnic oc-
casion.
The old church is In fine condition,
the Friends of Old Drawers" having
I'm the last few years spent nearly
81, 900 on Il. After the new Drawers
Church was closed for many years.
Perhaps this was a fortunate circum-
stance, as Il has thus escaped the
many changes that nigh have been
made IN ia In the years gone by.
The field of this congregation began
to be settled in 1871, and the Rev
John Wilson Is thought to have been
the first pastor. The first building
for divine service was erected in I'LL
and stood I'm the southeast corner OF
tn graveyard. The present building
was erected IN 1878 and Is Of brick
II Is of Georgian architecture and IL
considered as beautiful as Old Swedes
Church. Wilmington The dimensions
OF the church are 44 by So feet, and
the workmanship and materials are OF
the most substantial character.
The church derived it's name from
the creek near which II stands. tbs
original name being THE Church o.
Apoquinimy;" It's corporate name
THE First Presbyterian Church II
ST. Georges Hundred
When the church divided about 1742
part of the congregation went 10 Firs
Church. Middletown. and part 20 81
Georges Presbyterian Church
The descendants of many OF th'
early worshippers live near the ole
church and once each year, they hol'
service and worship in the churcl
home of their fathers. This Is tn
seventeenth annual meeting sine
Lewis G. Vandegrift. of Wilmington
founded the Friends Of oil
Drawers" Society, to care for tn
old church and the grounds.
The officers Of the Friends" are
! President. Daniel w. Corbit, Odessa
4 vice-president, Thomas J. Craver
= Salem, ~ j.; secretary. Miss s. Cor
4 nelia Bowman, Wilmington; treasurer
{ George Janvier. Middletown; direc
tors. John Y. Craven. West Chester
/ Pa; William c. Janvier. st. Georges
Dr. Walter V. Woods, odessa; ClaI
ence e. Pool, Isaac Janvier Wood
: and Howard A. Poole, McDonougl
! Miss Dorothy Vandegrift, Whining
I ton.
0 With a legacy Of $1,000 as
y nucleus, the directors recently starte
+ an endowment fund. which they hoT
e In time 10 increase 10 such propo
= tions that the interest will mainta
i the building and grounds.
le The services on Sunday will be
- cnarke OF the KEY. EDWARD A. NJ
lr Laury. pastor Of Odessa Presbyteril
le Church. The sermon IN the mornii
F. will be preached by the Rev Charl
y F. Erdman. d. d., professor
Ie Princeton Theological Seminary.
the afternoon Josiah Marvel, Of vi
10 mington. will make an address.
Il The Presbyterian Churches In Il
y, neishhorhoOd will be closed that the
IS members may once again visit d
n mother church.