Compton Village in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Bethel A.M.E. Church
Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 31, 2008
1. Bethel A.M.E. Church Marker
On May 10, 1846, a group of African-American residents of Wilmington who had affiliated themselves with the African Methodist Episcopal Church held a meeting for the purposes of electing trustees and organizing as a corporate body. At the time, approximately 15 families were meeting from house to house, worshipping under the direction of ministers from Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia. The following September, the congregation purchased land at 12th and Elizabeth Streets on which a church was to be erected. The new structure was dedicated in April 1847.
In 1853 the congregation relocated to a site at 6th and Penn Streets. They continued to worship there until 1865, when their need for a larger building led them to purchase the present site, where the Zion Evangelical German Lutheran Church then stood. The old building was used until 1878, when it was demolished and a new structure was built here.
Erected 1998 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-102.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the Delaware Public Archives series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1847.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Michael's Day Nursery (within shouting distance of this marker); Votes for Women (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilmington Historic Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Ezion-Mount Carmel United Methodist Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beacon (about 700 feet away); Brown v. Board of Education (about 700 feet away); Louis L. Redding City County Building (about 800 feet away); Holocaust (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 31, 2008
2. Bethel A.M.E. Church
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,230 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on March 9, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
