Evening journal., 1921-06-01
Special to The Evening Journal.

Special TO The Evening Journal
NEWARK. June White Clay
Creek Presbyterian Church. rich in
the early history OF the country, is
two hundred years old this year.
The Rev. David A. Reed. pastor Of
the church. and members of his
congregation have planned three
day celebration in honor Of the event
which will open on Sunday, and
promises to be one Of the most not
able occasions in the long history Of
he church.
Records Of the old church give
some idea of the stirring times of
the country two centuries ago. This
church had been organized for half
a century when the Revolutionary
War was fought. When II was first
organized. Wilmington was only
small village Of several hundred in
habitants and there probably was
not more than half a dozen churches
in the State.
These old church records also give
some idea Of how devout and strict
church people were in those days.
one Of the former pastors Of this
church was reprimanded and prac-
tically ousted by the Presbytery
from the pastorate because he bathei
on Sunday in White Clay Creek An
other pastor had to appear before
the Presbytery and answer charges
for trying TO break an engagement
TO marry a young woman member
of his congregation after the en-
eaeement had been announced. In
the early days Of the church there
was a fight for years between two
factions which for a time evidently
retarded its growth. II is recorded
that one Of the other faction 20 Sc
cure prior rights to get control OF
the services on Sunday went IL
church earlier and earlier eacf
Sunday until eventually they would
go Saturday evenings and remain az
night to be first there Sunday morn.
ing.
some excellent speakers have beer
secured for the three days services
starting on Sunday. Spcial music
will also be a feature Of all the ser
vices. on Sunday morning tn
sneaker will be the Rev. II. Clal
Ferguson. pastor of Harper Memor
ial Presbyterian Church, Philadel
phia. who attended White Clay Creel
Church when a boy. The Rev. 10
seph Turner. Of Port Deposit, his
torian Of the Presbytery Of New
Castle. and the Rev. Henry Runner
of Darlington. Nd, will speak sun
day night. on Monday the Presby
terry will hold a meeting there an
addresses will be made by Frank ]
Middleton. Of Washington, ID. c., an
nf MI
mineton. The final anniversar
service will be held next Iuesda
night when the Hon. B. G. Louvre!
IL D., Congressman from Missi'
sippi will b the speaker
The Rev William ID. Macke'
who was pastor OF the church, pre-
rared a historical sketch Of this ol
church for special anniversary exc
ciscs. held July Q. 1876. In tn
sketch he says that some historian
have evidently confused White Cla
Creek Church with the Head
Christiana Presbyterian Church.
this connection, Mr.. Mackey in b
sketch, says;
1T appears from the records
the Presbytery Of Philadelphia, thi
In 1908. a part Of the New Cast
CONGREGATION, tsyled the people
and about White Clay Creek d
sired to have the ordinance Of n
gospel administered nearer the
placeo ST abode but several pc
sons in the town of New Cast
craved that they should not be su
fered to set up n meeting house
the country The Presbytery o
cered that the Rev. Mr.. Wilson, Il
pastor. preach one Sabbath in Ne
Castle and the other in the countr
In 1712. Mr.. Wilson died, and
1913. there is an account Of the orc
nance Of Mr.. George Gillespie,
"a call from the people Of White Cl'
Creek.
1T is perfectly natural that hi
torians not acquainted with a
facts bearing upon this point exec
these. should have been misled
The language here employed, a.
should have taken it for grant
that there is the origin Of q
church; but there are many fa'
utterly irreconcilable with this OPT
ion. and the following reasons ha