Smyrna times., 1953-09-17
Townsend

anniversary OF Old Union Churen
was held near Blackbird under
charming and memorable circum-
stances. The service began at 10
am. with a love feast conducted by
Mr.. Ralph L. Brown, an evangelist
Of the Methodist Conference, from
Wilmington. Many of the folks
who went there 40 or so years ago
were there again on Sunday and
all said they enjoyed the occasion
to their own hearts content. The
morning preaching service began
at IL am, the guest speaker be-
ing the Rev. Earl M. Shockley, a
retired minister of the Peninsula
Methodist Conference. The church
was well-filled at both the morn
ing and afternoon services. The
Rev. Shockley chose for his text
Psalm 11:4. He said in part: 1--WE
are the living temples of God.
Years and years ago the people in
those days had temples to their
own liking and glories but their
temples exist no more. But still
we have our own temples and each
person must guard their temple
zealously, never forgetting to pro-
tect it under any circumstances.
Rev. Shockley also said that look
ing back into history it was re-
vealed that when this country was
getting ready for the Inauguration
of General Washington as our first
president, the people of this vicin-
ity were starting to build Old
Union Church. They used brick to
build it and never stopped laying
the brick until the building was
completed. They used only good
solid brick and if any defect was
seen in them they were thrown
into the scrap heap. Rev. Shockley
was accompanied to Townsend on
this occasion by his wife, Mrs.
Julia Shockley. They both are
former residents of this town.
Following the morning service
there was tree planting as a
memorial to the late Judge James
w. Lattomus who took an active
part in the preservation of the old
church for years. Tht tree plant
ed was of the cedar variety about
five feet tall, and those conducting
this ceremony were Rev. S. M.
Morgan of MiddletoWn; Mr.. and
Mrs. Harmon Money, also of Mid
dletown; Mr.. John Leach of Will
mington; Mrs. Lewis D. Learned
of Cheswold, and Mr.. Joseph C.
Hutchison of Townsend. During
the day the floral arrangements
were made by Mrs. G. Lester Dan
iels. At IL noon there was {
basket lunch in the church grove
nearby and many enjoying thi!
plan. At 1870 pm, the election O.
trustees was held and at 2 pm. {
meeting of the Old Union Churcl
Society drew much attention anC
interest. At 2:30 pm. the preach
ing service again drew fine at
tendance, the edifice being well
filed. The speaker was DR.. Pres
ton w. Spence, superintendent o
the Easton District of the Pen
insula Methodist Conference. TIL,
speaker referred to the church AM
its great influence of today HI
emphasized the fact that the NOR,
people go to church the more the.
want to go. He also said tina
these anniversary days are mos
glorious ones for all the lovers o
Old Union Church and they rusl
there to pay honor to the grand olt
edifice every year. While here tn
speaker was warmly greeted an
the Rev. Shockley too, by thos
who had known them for lont
while before. officers of the Oh
Union Church Society are Presi
dent, John G. Leach; Vice-Presi
dent, Joseph c. Hutchinson; Secre
tary and Treasurer, w. Hafmal
Money. Among those attending
the anniversary were: John G
Leach, Joseph G. Hutchison, w
Harman Money, Walter Lee, Mrs
Helen B. Money, Alex. Alfree, Mrs
Margaret Pearce, Mrs. Margare
Buckson, Mrs. David Buckson, Rev
and Mrs. H. M. Parks, Rev. Ear
M. Shockley and Mrs. Shockley
and Rev. S. M. Morgan.
N. w. VanFIorn, W.Penn Wilson
WILDER Waters, Miss Ethelwyn !
Maloney, Joseph c. Hutchison, Jr
John A. Lyman, G. Lester Daniels
Charles K. Lippincott, Mrs Nelli
Money, Paul l.. Hutchison, Davi
P. Buckson, Helen w. Learned
James H, Carpenter, Jr, John F
A furolI Mrs IInlnn w Iaclxcnr