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

First Presbyterian Church

By Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008

1. First Presbyterian Church Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This church originally stood at the corner of 10th and Market Streets and was the first Presbyterian church in the city. It was constructed in 1740, just after Wilmington received its charter from King George II. Following the Battle of the Brandywine on September 2, 1777, the British used the building as a hospital. After the congregation moved to a larger church in 1878, the Delaware Historical Society used the building until 1916. The church was then moved to this site in Brandywine Park to allow for construction of the Wilmington Library. The building is now operated by the Society of Colonial Dames of America in Delaware, serving as a reminder of Wilmington's role during the American Revolution.

Erected 2000 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-77.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 39° 45.068′ N, 75° 32.867′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County

First Presbyterian Church Plaque image. Click for full size.

By Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008

2. First Presbyterian Church Plaque

This is the original
Presbyterian Meeting House
built in 1740
near Tenth & Market Streets
Presented by
The First Presbyterian Church
of Wilmington, Delaware
to
The Society of Colonial Wars in the State
of Delaware
and
The National Society of the Colonial Dames
of America in the State of Delaware
and re-built here by them in 1918

. Marker is at the intersection of South Park Drive and West Street on South Park Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. McKinley (within shouting distance of this marker); Looking Back... (within shouting distance of this marker); H. Fletcher Brown: The Man and the Vocational School (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Washington Street Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Looking Back... (approx. 0.2 miles away); John McKinly (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Soldiers' Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Richard Bassett (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

First Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

By Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008

3. First Presbyterian Church

By Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008

4. First Presbyterian Church

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,599 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 14, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.