Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1950-10-27


" as it looks today. The build
ing committee consisted of Will
liam Tharp, Peter F. Causey, Hen
ry B. Fiddeman, William V. COul-
ter. DR.. James P. LOfand, and John
A. Hazard. The lot was purchas-
ed by this committee for $3.50.
The first roll of members con-
tanned seven names. William v.
Coulter was unanimously elected
and ordained the first ruling elder.
The committee agreed upon a brick
building 35 x so feet, with base
ment story, cupOla, and steeple.
The plans were formally approved
on April 1, 1850, and the building
committee was elected trustees of
the church. The building cost
about $500. Later plans were ap-
proved and the manseN was added.
The lot, at the corner of South
Walnut and South Front street,
was 1913 feet long on Front street
and So feet on Walnut street. The
deed, now in possession of Treasur-
er Edwin G. Messick, says that the
plot was >"for the purpose of the
erecting, or causing to be erected
a house of worship for the use OF
the members of the Presbyterian
Church, of the Village of South Mil
ford, in connection with the Pres
bytery of Wilmington, usually nom
mated 1.-THE New School Presby-
terians."
The laying of the cornerstone
took place the morning of July 4
1850. A large concOurse of people
assembled under tent on the
front lawn of the residence of Petel
F. Causey (later Governor of Del
alvarez. Appropriate speeches
were made and religious service
held. Then the people went to thu
church lot and deposited in thu
cornerstone, a zinc box hermeti
cally sealed, and containing a lis
Of the names of the subscribers, {
copy of the Milford Beacon" ;
copy of the christian Observer,
other papers, Bible, the Declare
ton of independence, and a brick
from the ruins of the old Three
Runs Presbyterian Church.
When the church was completes
there was a tall spire, pointing it
white finger heavenward, whicl
was outstanding in those days.
lower clock was installed in thu
base of the tower with four dials
facing North, East, South, an(
West and a striking mechanism
which tOlled the hours. The clock
unfortunately, was a single dia
movement, hooked up to run fOu
lials. This placed an unusua
strain on the movement, which
coupled with lack of proper care
resulted in it's failure, and 70
some reason it was not replaced
Parts of the clock are still strewl
about the belfry. A newspape
story at the time stated that tn
clock had been presented to tn
church by the State of Delaware
and that there was some criticism
Of the state for it's generosity
When the people found out hoy
| convenient a town clock was, tn
criticism vanished.
Mr.. Kennedy continued his min
istry until 1856, during which tim
he membership increased. For
time after his departure, the churc
passed through many vicissitude'
largely through strife between tn
old and the new school PresbyteI
ians. Finally, about 1858, Re-
George Mears succeeded Mr.. Ken
nedy, but soon left to become
professor in Hamilton College.
Rev. ]. Garland Hammer OccU
pied the pulpit from 1860 to 1885,
during which time the church wa
greatly strengthened. He was SUI
ceeded by Rev. LittletOn P. Bower
licentiate from Princeton Sem
nary, who occupied the pulpit dul
ing the tragic days of the Civ
), War.
OF the eighteen ministers VIII
have labOred here, special mentio
. should be made of the Rev. Hem
L. Bunstein, who served this churC
for nearly fifty years. He was
graduate of Lafayette College an
Harvard Law School, and bega
his career as a lawyer in EastOI
Pa. After practicing law for
short time, he purchased an Eai
ION newspaper, which he edited fC
three years. When he sold Il
? !