Smyrna times., 1925-09-23
10000 ON PILGRIMAGE SUNDAY
TO HISTORIC RARRATTS CHAPEL
CELEBRATE AS ANNIVERSARY
OF CRADLE OF METHODISM
A Male From Frederica on dupont
boulevard, Old Church Was Mecca
of ThOusands-Rev. Ewing. Sneaker

Boulevard, Old Church Was Mecca
OF IhOusands-Rev. Ewing, Speaker
What is estimated as the LARGEST
throng that ever attended a similar
junction made the annual pilgrimage
10 Barratt's Chapel, near Frederica.
sunday afternoon, fully 10000 people
Oelng present at the 145th anniver-
sary OF the Cradle of Methodism in
Delaware" 1t is estimated that at
least 1000 automobiles were parked in
and about the grove, coming from all
parts OF Delaware and adjoining coun-
ties Of neighboring states. A number
motOred down from Smyrna. The
program was in charge of Rev. C. w.
Spry, pastor in charge of the district,
which includes Magnolia, Bowers
Beach and Barratt's Chapel. Minis
ters seated on the platform included:
Rev. Leonard White and Rev. H. G.
Budd, of Dover; Rev. w. F. Dawson,
HurlOck, Md; Rev. Disston w. Jacobs
Milford; Rev. George Wood, Frederick
Rev. j. K. Reese and Rev. Mr.. Hamb-
I'm, Houston; Rev. d. J. Moore. Eel
ton. Other preachers present, unable
to find room on the platform, but who
mingled with the throng and partici-
pated in the ceremonies were: Rev. +.
II. Collins, Harrington; Rev. Alfred
Smith, Camden; Rev. w. E. Matthews
Smyrna; Rev. John w. Jones, Delmar:
Rev. Z. NJ. Adams, Dover; Rev. How
ard Gray. Community singing was in
charge of the choir of Magnolia NJ. +.
Church, led by w. H. Davidson. Spe-
clal selections were sung by Mrs. and
Miss Tatum, of Greenwood. The OPEN
ing prayer was offered by Rev. H. G.
Budd, principal of Wesley Collegiate
Institute, Dover. The Bible, both the
old and new testaments, as a Reveal
ment Of Cod" and the Virgin birth
were upheld in a stirring sermon by
Rev. Harvey w. Ewing, of Whining
ton, retired pastor, and critics of the
church were arraigned by the minis
ter, who preached the sermon of the
day.
Barratt's Chapel, Cradle of Methodism
The fame of old Barratts Chanel.
which has been visited by thousands
OF Delawareans upon the occasions of
past anniversaries, is not by anv
means confined within the borders of
our state. The little brick meeting
house is known throughout the coun-
try as one of the three oldest Meth
odist Churches in America, and fire.
quently tourists from far-distant
states have made special trips here to
visit the church and sit within its aged (
and battle-sicarred walls, for when the /
little chapel was first erected there
were hostile Indians roaming in the .
Delaware forests, and even today the .
marks Of more than one encounter can
be seen near the loopholes from which .
the early worshippers protected them
selves from Indian attacks Barratt's
Chapel was built from bricks brought
over from England. 1t was the Gus
tom at that time to ship produce and
other agricultural articles from the
colonies to the mother country. On
the return trips the sailing vessels
loaded bricks in their holds for ballast
it was bricks hauled for this purpose
from which the old church was built.
The interior of the church remains as
It did almost a century and a half ago.
Historic Structure Dates Back to 1884
Barratt's is termed the "Cradle of
Methodism' in America because it was
at this historic old structure on No
-ember IA, 1884, that Bishop Thomas
Coke sent by Rev. John Wesley, met
Rev. Francis Asbury and it resulted in
he organization of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. The name of "Bar-
ats Chapel" was derived from Philip
}arratt, who gave the land and large
means for its building, in the year
$50. 1t was in old Barratt's that the I
lords Supper was first administered
" a regularly ordained Methodist
preacher. ,