Christ United Methodist Church Marker

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Laurel in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Christ United Methodist Church

By F. Robby, December 8, 2007

1. Christ United Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. In the fall of 1831, Reverend Thomas Pearson came to Laurel to assist with the establishment of a Methodist Protestant congregation in the community. With its founding, the church became one of the first of this denomination in Delaware. Early meetings were held in a schoolhouse. A church was constructed on West Street in 1832, and a cemetery established nearby. Desiring a new house of worship, the congregation purchased property on Wheat Street - not Central Avenue, in 1866. A two-story frame church was completed the following year. This building was used until 1911, when the present stone structure was constructed. Additional land was acquired over the years and church facilities were expanded. Property adjoining the church was purchased in 2000 to accommodate a growing congregation.

Pastors of note include Reverend James H. Straughn, whoe served the congregation from 1912 - 1919. He was a leader of the Methodist unification movement in the 1930s, and was chosen to serve as Bishop when the churches merged.

Erected 2001 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-145.)

Location. 38° 33.291′ N, 75° 34.247′ W. Marker is in Laurel, Delaware, in Sussex County. Marker is on Central Avenue (

By F. Robby, December 8, 2007

2. Christ UMC

Business U.S. 13) 0.1 miles south of Market Street (Delaware Route 24), on the right when traveling south. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Laurel DE 19956, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Hope Lodge No. 4 (within shouting distance of this marker); Centenary United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Wading Place (approx. 0.2 miles away); Laurel (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Christ Church (approx. 1.9 miles away); Nathaniel Mitchell (approx. 1.9 miles away); a different marker also named Nathaniel Mitchell (approx. 1.9 miles away); St. Paul's United Methodist Church (approx. 2.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Laurel.

Christ M.P. Church Stone Photo, Click for full size

By F. Robby, December 8, 2007

3. Christ M.P. Church Stone

Stone built into exterior wall of existing church.

Credits. This page originally submitted on December 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 789 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.