St. David's

 Wayne, PA

 

 

 

 

This material is from the book written by Henry Pleasant, "The History of Old St. David's Church" ,1915, of which the church has two original copies. It was condensed by James Slater Hanna, Jr. in September 1991. He is a descendant of Capt. William Hayman who married Ann Wayne, Hayman was a Captain in the Revolutionary Navy.

In July 1997 my wife Donna, son, Joshua, and I visited Easttown, Waynesborough, St. David's, Valley Forge, and the Paoli Massacre site. All these are within a 4 mile radius of Waynesborough, the Homestead of the Wayne's.

Waynesborough was my dream come true, I read about it in some books I had read on Gen. Wayne. I had no idea of St. David's or its significance in the Wayne family. It is in a lovely wooded area with many trees of great age, and a new church across the street. The original church has been modified and added onto over time, but it still stands with occasional weddings and funerals conducted there. It is surrounded by graceful tress that shade graves. These graves tell a history unto themselves.

Upon entering the church we met a volunteer caretaker that was cleaning the church. He informed us of what he knew of the little church. There are numerous documents, letters, Bibles in the church, some dating back over 200 hundred years, some letters were written by Wayne's. It was like stepping back in time. I filmed the church and the graves. Most of the grave stones and markers are in bad shape, and the monument on Gen. Anthony Wayne's grave is falling apart. This is a concern to me and I have contacted several societies with no reply from most of them.

It was raining that day, which made filming outside difficult and the lighting was poor on the gravestones and markers. After filming we went across the street to the newer church and inquired about records of the Wayne family. The records have all been sent to a historical society, but they had the two original books entitled "The History of old St. David's", which we were allowed to read and make some copies of the pages. The Wayne's were prominent in the church, vestrymen and pew owners.

Toward the end of the 17th Century, a group of Welsh colonists settled in an area which became known as the Welsh Barony, which includes Radnor, PA. Until 1691 the majority of settlers in the area were Quakers. the remaining being Church of England communicants. In 1700 Rev. Evan Evans was sent to Christ Church in Philadelphia, as a circuit missionary. He returned to England in 1704. The Welsh Colonist had to depend on lay readers. They gathered at a home or barn to worship. They gathered 100 signatures for a petition for Welsh Prayer Books and a Bible and a Welsh speaking missionary. On September 7,1714 the leaders gathered together to build a church to be named after the Patron Saint of Wales, St. David. The Cornerstone was quarried and laid. The church was 40'x27' and laid out east to west according to custom. The cornerstone was laid on May 9, 1715.

For many years the interior remained unfinished, the hand-hewn rafters fully exposed, and no pews or seats were in place on the dirt floor. The flooring was added in 1765. There was the ancient Anglican institution of "pew ground", whereby a sum was paid to the church and a title was given vested in the purchaser. As long as he remained a member of the church, he could erect a pew on the ground. Some pew owners were interred beneath the pew they owned. Benches were provided on a rental basis which continued until 1911.

There is a cello that accompanies hymns, it was repaired in 1995 and is still played on special occasions. To Imagine the music it produced and the sermons takes you back a step in time. To see the Wayne’s gathered here on Worship Day and discussing the politics of  King George.

With the onset of the Revolution, a swell of resentment arose against the Church of England. Anthony Wayne (Gen) was very outspoken and a leader, against Rev. Currie for litanies of King George III of England and the Royal Family. He later resigned by a penned letter in spring of 1776. The Church was without minister until a circuit rider in 1788, Rev. Slator Clay took over. But the congregation drifted away with only one member remaining. Then Rev. Samuel C. Brinckle followed and breathed new life into the church. He organized the first Sunday School and arranged the first confirmation service.

In 1832 the railroad opened and the wilderness gave way to community life. The work continues to this day at St. David's. Once in 1835 there was a vote to demolish the church, but the fight to save it was led by a wealthy parishioner, Isaac Wayne.

There are copies of letters that contain the names of the early Wayne's. One is from Jon Hughes clerk of the vestry. It is over an argument between Francis Wayne and his brother Isaac about their right in the pew of the late (Capt.) Anthony Wayne and John Hunter. Francis, Anthony and Humphrey Wayne are listed as vestrymen and Churchwarden Isaac Wayne. Humphrey built part of the church and did some carpentry work for which there is record of him being paid.

On July 4, 1809 with much fanfare the bones of Gen. Anthony Wayne were interred at St. David's. There was a dedication pageant which included the City Troop of Philadelphia under command of Col. Robert Wharton and in front marched Samuel Smiley, one of Anthony Wayne's most trusted and bravest soldier. The Rev Clay was minister at this time. After Rev. Clay, Rev. Brinckle` took charge of St. David's. In a diary dated 3/9/1828 he wrote that he spent the night at Mr. Isaac Wayne's (son of Gen. Wayne). 9/21/1829 he mentions services in several places listing Mr. Wayne's school house. On 9/23/1829 he says that is agitated with Mr. Wayne over the interior of Radnor Church, erection of a vestry room and enlarging of the old vestry room. 10/18/1829 he dined at Mr. Wayne's. He was presented with a gift from Isaac Wayne, an engraving of Radnor Church from "The Casket". The Casket became the Saturday Evening Post. 4/12/1830 a vestry meeting to appoint a Committee to remodel the church, and repairs, in attendance were Wayne, Hunter, Horton, Norton, Wilson, and Brooke. 4/24/1830 Called at Mr. Wayne's obtained his responsibility of $100.00. 5/3/1830 Vestry meeting to build a sextons house and alter the church. Wayne voting in favor of it. 6/29/1830 Letter from Isaac Wayne, on the subject of the dispute with Beaumont relative to the church lines. 11/25/1832 Rev. Brinckle resigns to move to the city.

From 1838-1882 there were eight ministers. In April of 1852 Elizabeth Wayne wife of Col. Isaac Wayne left a legacy of 500 dollars, to be placed in the hands of the trustees for the upkeep of the family graves and tombstones. In a will dated 11/24/1841 Col. Isaac Wayne provided $2,800 for the use and benefit of the church. During 1853 St. David's received from the estates legacies aggregating over $3000 for the building fund. These were the first considerable legacies left to the church. The latter generations of Wayne’s attended St. David's and supported it.

This historic church in which President Calvin Coolidge worshipped in 1916, celebrated its 250th anniversary in 1965. It is now 284 years old and still active. As you can see the Wayne's had an active role in building the church, holding office and providing for its up-keep for over 250 years.

Among the famous interred here is General Anthony Wayne and his ancestors and descendants along with other early settlers of Early America who fought and died for their Country. 

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Text Box: The Monument at St David’s is crumbling due to weather and age. It is open to the public, anyone can just walk in and touch it. Pretty soon it will be in a condition that will render the inscription unreadable. Please help to restore this monument to one of this countries greatest Heroes.     Link To St. David's virtual page:   http://www.stdavidschurch.org/tour.html 763 Valley Forge Rd. Wayne, PA 19087-4794  (610) 688-7947 Phone  (610) 687-1718 Fax Text Box: Saint David’s by Longfellow   What an image of peace and rest Is this little church amongst its graves! All is so quiet; the troubled breast, The wounded spirit, the heart oppressed, Here may find the repose it craves.   See, how the ivy climbs and expands Over this humble hermitage, And seems to caress with its little hands The rough, gray stones, as a child that stands Caressing the wrinkled cheeks of age!   You cross the threshold; and dim and small Is the space that serves for the Shepherd's Fold; The narrow aisle, the bare, white wall, The pews, and the pulpit quaint and tall Whisper and say: "Alas! we are old."   Herbert's chapel at Bemerton Hardly more spacious is than this; But poet and pastor, blent in one, Clothed with a splendor, as of the sun, The walls of that lowly and holy edifice.   It is not the wall of stone without That makes the building small or great, But the soul's light shining round about, And the faith that overcometh doubt, And the love that stronger is than hate.   Were I a pilgrim in search of peace, Were I a pastor of Holy Church, More than a Bishop's diocese Should I prize this place of rest and release From further longing and further search.   Here would I stay, and let the world, With its distant thunder roar and roll; Storms do not rend the sail that is furled; Nor like a dead leaf, tossed and whirled In an eddy of wind, is the anchored soul.   By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow March 22, 1880  

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  1. Facts on General Anthony Wayne .......................... Maj. Gen. Anthony Wayne

  2. The Battle of Fallen Timbers................................... Battle of Fallen Timbers

  3. Plantations of Georgia............................................. Anthony Wayne In Georgia

  4. Saint David's ........................................................... St. David's Church

  5. Wayne's of Savannah Georgia............................... Savannah Wayne's

  6. Henry Wayne..........................................................  Henry C. Wayne

  7. Family Arms............................................................ Coats of Arms

  8. History of  Heraldry............................................... Heraldry  

  9. Coats of Arms........................................................  Armory

  10. Descendant Report................................................  Descendants of Richard Wayne

  11. Family Documents.................................................. Wills, Documents and Letters

  12. Sources....................................................................  Authorities

  13. Photo Album...........................................................  Photo Base Web Album

  14. English History of Waynes.....................................English Ancestory

  15. Index of Names Must have ADOBE Acrobat to read!!  Index of Individuals

  16. Wayne Home Page................................................. Wayne Home Page