Saint George's Hundred in Odessa in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Old St. Paul's Church

Photographed by William Pfingsten, August 17, 2008

1. Old St. Paul's Church Marker

Inscription. In 1831, a Methodist Society was organized in this community. The congregation was incorporated as Cantwell's Bridge Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832. A small meeting house known as "Brickbat Church" was subsequently constructed on land provided by Joseph C. Griffith. Dedicated in 1852, the new structure was formally named St. Paul's M.E. Church. It was designed by noted architect Samuel Sloan. The congregation continued to worship here for over a century before moving to a new site on Main Street in 1957. In 1974, the building was purchased from the Methodist Conference and sold to the Women's Club of Odessa for use as a Community Center. An extensive repair and renovation project was undertaken by the organization. Old St. Paul's Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 13, 1982.

Erected 2005 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-147.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1711.

Location. 39° 27.456′

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N, 75° 39.635′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Saint George's Hundred. It is on High Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 506 High Street, Odessa DE 19730, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Delaware’s Southern New Castle County, in Greater Wilmington and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic

and on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 209 North Sixth Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); You Are Not Forgotten (about 500 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 800 feet away); Appoquinimink Friends Meeting House (about 800 feet away); The Tatman Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Corbit-Sharp House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Odessa (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old Drawyers Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Odessa.

Also see . . . Old St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.

Historically, Odessa was dominated by three principal religious groups; the Quakers, Presbyterians, and Methodists. Though both the Quakers and Presbyterians had become established religious factions within the community in the eighteenth century, Methodism did not emerge there until the 1830's. St. Paul's Church, therefore, represents the earliest, tangible structural evidence reflecting the development of Methodism within the community.

Old St. Paul's Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, August 17, 2008

2. Old St. Paul's Church

(Submitted on April 23, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Saint Pauls M E Church 1851 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, August 17, 2008

3. Saint Pauls M E Church 1851

Old St. Paul's Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, August 17, 2008

4. Old St. Paul's Cemetery

Photographed by Stephen J Duncan, April 1, 2014

5. Old St. Paul's Church Marker

Photographed by Stephen J Duncan, April 1, 2014

6. Old St. Paul's Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,807 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 20, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on April 1, 2014, by Stephen J Duncan of Wilmington, Delaware.