The event was held on an auspicious day. On May 20, 1815, a naval squadron commanded by Commodore Stephen Decatur began its voyage to Algiers to settle, once and for all, the issue of the Barbary pirates.
It was held at Milner & Carr Conservation LLC in Fishtown, which will restore the bronze eagle that sits atop the granite Decatur monument in St. Peter's Churchyard. The eagle will be returned to its perch Sept. 18.
The evening was a joint production of the St. Peter's 250th Anniversary Committee and Historic St. Peter's Church Preservation Corp. Co-chairs of the 250th committee are Elizabeth Browne, Joseph P. Fanelli Jr. and Claudia Stowers. Katherine Fanelli was the event's chairperson.
Sponsors and donors were Stanhope & Elizabeth Browne, James Colberg and Kathleen Stephenson, Helen and John Davies, Donald Hartz, Alan Heavens, Robert Hornsby Jr., Mary louise Krumrine, the Rev. Ledlie Laughlin, Constance Moore, David Richards, Dorothy & David Stevens, Margaret and Richard Ullman and Donna Weschler.
The guest for the evening was Thomas Jefferson, who offered a tribute to Decatur.
