Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Scott AME Zion Church

Photographed by William Pfingsten, August 31, 2008

1. Scott AME Zion Church Marker

Inscription.
Zion Church in New York City, organized in 1796, was the catalyst by which the African Methodist Episcopal Zion denomination was established in 1821. By the 1870’s a number of Wilmington residents had affiliated themselves with this growing denomination. Formally incorporated as Plymouth AME Zion Church in 1878, the group first held worship services in an old church at 2nd & Washington Streets. Renamed Grace AME Zion in the 1890s, the congregation moved to several locations before purchasing this site in 1959.

The present church was originally constructed in 1852 to serve as an interdenominational education facility known as the Seventh Street Sabbath School. In 1855 the seating capacity of the building was doubled and its name was changed to Scott Methodist Episcopal Church to honor pioneering Methodist Bishop Levi Scott. After a century of good works in the community, the church was formally closed and sold to the members of Grace AME Zion. Upon moving to the present location, the name Scott AME Zion Church was adopted by the congregation, preserving an important link to the early days of Methodism.

Erected 2001

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by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-112.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church, and the Delaware Public Archives series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1796.

Location. 39° 44.385′ N, 75° 32.535′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is at the intersection of East 7th Street and Spruce Street, on the left when traveling east on East 7th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 703 E 7th St, Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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

Scott AME Zion Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, August 31, 2008

2. Scott AME Zion Church

walking distance of this marker: Old Swedes Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Congregation of Crane Hook Church Built Holy Trinity Church 1698-1699 (about 500 feet away); Hendrickson House (about 500 feet away); Holy Trinity Church (about 500 feet away); Revolutionary War Patriots in the Old Swedes Churchyard (about 600 feet away); Burr Family Vault (about 600 feet away); Maj. Gen. James H. Wilson (about 600 feet away); St. Mary's Church (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Plaques on the church building with the cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 30, 2021

3. Plaques on the church building with the cornerstone

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 2,225 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on October 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.