Smyrna times., 1926-09-15
EIGHT HUNDRED CONGREGATE
AT union CHURCH, BLACKB|RD
143 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED
SUNDAY BY ALL-DAY SERVICES

Former Ministers and Members or De-
cendants Of Members of COngrega-
tion Hear Addresses at Reunion
The 143rd anniversary of old Union
M. 2. Church, located on the dupont
Boulevard between Odessa and Black
bird was observed Sunday by over 800
persons who made a pilgrimage to the
church from all parts of Delaware and
as far away as New York The little
church, which only seats 300 was
crowded almost beyond its capacity.
A number Of Smyrnians motored up
during the day. Between the two ser
vices, the pilgrims strolled about the
beautiful grounds on which the church
is situated. Many went to the church
in their younger days and later moved
away. Their day was a happy one,
meeting old friends and recountering
"reminiscences. Others visited the an
cient burying ground connected with
the church and examined the old
/ graves. About half of the number Of
visitors ate their dinners on the lawn
or in the attractive woods nearby The
church is only opened once a year for
the anniversary. The first church was
built in 1888, and the present one, a
plain brick structure, was built in
| 1847. The latter one was the home
church of the late Bishop Levi Scott.
During the day a fund of S213 was
raised for the maintenance of the
property and to pay the salary of the
caretaker. The latter, ]. Albert Ly-
nam, was 80 years old September z,
and has been caretaker for Is years.
In recognition Of his birthday and
the excellent manner in which he has
kept up the old structure and grounds,
he was given a purse Of $108.
DR.. Cooper and DIR. Woodward Speak
Rev. o. H. Connolly, pastor Of
\ Union Church, who arranged the ser
vices and program, said that he
thought Union Church to be the third
oldest church in Delaware. 1t is about
eight years younger than Barrett's
\ Chapel at Frederica. Dr. Richard
Cooper, of the Service Citizens Of
Delaware, preached the morning ser
mon. He pleaded for a more wide
spread belief in God, and based his re-
marks on his knowledge Of books and
poetry. He claimed that God can be
found in beauty of nature books, art
and in beautiful thoughts. AT 1.30
o'clock Love Feast was held, led by
Rev. r. K. Stephenson, a former pas
tor Of the church, but now of Smyrna.
Rev Abram S. Woodward, pastor Of
st. Pauls NJ. E. Church, Wilmington.
preached the afternoon sermon. His
sermon centered around the express
sion Of religion in emotion. He stated
that anything that impresses people
| generally is expressed in emotion.
This same idea, he declared, applied
to large gatherings of persons, for in
stance a crowd at a football or base
ball game. He pleaded with his con-
gregation for a belief in this theory,
which he called experimental religion,
or consciousness of the presence of
Jesus Christ. At the morning service,
Mrs. Bessie Johns, of Warwick, Md,
sang several sacred selections and at
the afternoon service, Rev. Mr.. Con-
nelly and Walter H. Lee, of Townsend
sang duet.
Seven Ministers Present During Day
The following ministers were among
the visitors: Rev. Disston w. Jacobs,
Milford; Rev. DIR. R. K. Stephenson
and Rev. w. E. Matthews, Smyrna;
Rev. Harry E. Reed, Cheswold; Rev.
E. H. Derrickson, Odessa, and Rev.
Harry Thompson, of New Jersey. A
year ago Delos Smith, an architect Of
Washington, D. G., while driving
along the DUPONT Boulevard, stopped
at the graveyard and discovered that
an ancestor Of his, Daniel McCurdy,
\ had been buried there in 1904. He
Immediately wrote David p. Hutchin-
son, chairman Of the trustees of the
church, his admiration Of the condi-
ton Of the grave and of the burying
ground generally and also sent con
tribution for the maintenance of the
grounds. Mr.. Smith did not forget
this year. He has forwarded Mr..
Hutchinson another check for $25.
The contribution is On his behalf and
on the behalf Of eight other descend
ants Of Daniel McCurdy, one of them
Of New York one Of Philadelphia, and
| the other six Of Washington.
HOTEL AT DOVER AGAIN SOLD