The Wilmington morning star., 1940-11-07

tllC R4O0SAAt 0AAAAAAAS A4oo 2 WV
for fifty years. After many fnan-
cial difficulties, the church was
paid for and was dedicated during
the passionate of the Rev. j. H.
Hall who served from December 6,
1898 to December g., 1902. Our
splendid educational building was
begun in 1921 and was completed
three or four years later.
During the history of this church
its influence has not only measur-
ably contributed to the moral and
spiritual welfare of this city but
it has reached to the ends of the
earth. For it was in this church
in 1881, under the preaching of the
venerable and beloved Rev. T.
Page Ricaud familiarly and af-
fectionally known as Uncle Ric-
aud'), that Charlie Soong was con-
verted. Soong had come to the port
of Wilmington as a member of the
crew of the U. S. Revenue Cutter
Colfax. After the conversion of
young Soong to the christian faith,
Mr.. Ricaud became interested in
helping him to get an education,
By the help of Col. Julian S. Carr,
of Durham, N. c., and others, he
entered Trinity college. In addi-
ton to his training there he also
attended Vanderbilt University,
Nashville. Tenn. After leaving
Vanderbilt, MI. Soong returned to
his native China where he mar
ried a christian wife and they
established a christian home. The
children born to their union have
distinguished themselves as serv-
ants of modern China and of the
Christ who knows no color line.
One of the children Of this illus
trious family of noble sons and
daughters is Madame Chang Kai
Shek, wife of the present presi-
dent of China. Therefore, the tri-
butte that has often been paid to
this church, that it has made the
most unique and distinctive con-
tribution to world christian mis-
sions, has much justification.
During the ninety-two years of
its existence this church has had
fifty pastors, fourteen of whom
are still living; Of these fourteen
eight are in the active passionate
and hold the superannuate rela-
ton. The superannuates are: Rev.
j. T. Gibbs, who came to this
church sixty-fve years ago this
coming December and who now
lives at Warrenton, N. c.; Rev.
j. M. Rhodes, who came to this
church sixty-four years ago this
coming December and who now
lives in Barlow, Fla; Rev. F. M.
Shamburger, who came here thir-
ty-seven years ago this December
and who lives in Oxford, NJ; Rev.
G. T. Adams, who became pastor
here twenty-nine years ago in De-
cember and who lives in Sanford,
N. c.; Rev. J. H. Stone, who was
assigned here twenty-four years
ago in December and now lives at
Roxboro, N. c.; and Rev. j. H. Nc
Cracker, who began his pastorate
here twenty-three years ago in De-
cember and now lives in Durham,
N. c..
Grace Methodist church was or.
gained December "a, 1897, under
the leadership of William Meredith,
who died in 1899. He left a dwelling
and chapel to the church, located at
the junction of Front and Walnut
streets. Here a handsome edifice
was erected which housed for many
years a thriving congregation of
Methodist people. A disastrous fire
completely destroyed this building.
After much discussion the members
and officials of the church decided to
rebuild, but chose the new site at
Grace and Mulberry streets. Here
the new building was erected, the
handsome and comrnodious structure
where the people now worship. The
church organization now adopted the
name Grace for their new church.
In honor of the church the Whining
ton city fathers decided to change
the name Mulberry street to Grace
street. The street was thus named
for the church and not the church
for the street as many have thought.
The name of the church is Grace
Methodist church and not Grace
Street church as it is often incor-
rectly called.
The body Of the founder of Grace
church now rests under the pulpit.
The present pastor, Rev. J. F.
Herbert, is closing his first year of
ministry at Grace. MI. Herbert was
appointed to Grace in November,
1889, from the ~pastorate at Rocking
ham. He succeeded the Rev. F. S.
Love.
Grace church has a membership
Of 1000.
Epworth
Epworth church, true to Metho-
dism, had its beginning in a home
and prayer meeting. A mission band
from Fifth Avenue church h e ! d
meetings at the home of J. G. OAR
den, corner Of Seventh and Harnett
streets, the last week of November,
1885, and then four months later
moved into the Hughes store across
the street. In January, 1887, the
church Was organized with twenty
.
g.