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 • Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures.
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Location. 39° 44.463′ N, 75° 32.84′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Compton Village. It is on North Walnut Street (Business U.S. 13), on the right when traveling north. The marker lies between 5th and 7th Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 640 N Walnut 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 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);
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 2,670 times since then and 36 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.
