Georgetown in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Wesley United Methodist
This congregation’s beginnings can be traced to a visit from Methodist pioneer Francis Asbury to a gathering of farm families at the home of Abraham Harris on September 24, 1779. A prominent local landowner, Mr. Harris later conveyed a substantial portion of the land upon which the Town of Georgetown was built. For many years this local Methodist “Society” met in the homes of its members. In April 1802, the congregation purchased a lot of land on West Pine Street, just east of South Lane, where a frame house of worship know as “Wesley Chapel” was erected. After fire destroyed this structure, a second building was constructed nearby on land purchased in 1806 from John Russell. This site is now part of the “old Methodist cemetery”.
On July 9, 1859, the growing congregation purchased a lot of land on North Race Street, south of Cooper Alley, for the site of a new church. The building was completed and dedicated in 1865. By the 1890’s, it was very evident that a larger sanctuary was needed. Under the leadership of the Rev. Charles A. Grise, the lot where the present church stands was purchased in 1896. Construction of the modified-gothic design building was completed the following year. Church treasurer William J. McNatt served as supervising architect, and John Barr was the contractor. A formal dedication service was held on March 7, 1897.
The adjoining parsonage was built in 1907. The Willie M. Jones Memorial Hall was constructed in 1928, and the Education Building in 1956-57.
Erected 1997 by The Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-117.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the Francis Asbury, Traveling Methodist Preacher series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1792.
Location. 38° 41.496′ N, 75° 23.136′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, Delaware, in Sussex County. Marker is on North Race Street, on the right when traveling north. Located between Cooper Alley and East Laurel Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Georgetown DE 19947, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. “Pettijohn’s Old Field” (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sussex County Korean War Memorial (about 400 feet away); Women's Suffrage in Delaware (about 500 feet away); W.W.I (about 500 feet away); Chad E. Spicer (about 500 feet away); Sussex County World War II Memorial (about 500 feet away); Sussex County Courthouse (about 600 feet away); Relocation of the County Seat (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 402 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 17, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.