Newark in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
St. John the Baptist Church
Photographed by William Pfingsten, July 29, 2008
1. St. John the Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
St. John the Baptist Church. . In 1868, the original Old Village Presbyterian Church, which stood on this location, was purchased by Charles A. Murphey. The property was donated to the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, and the church was named St. Patrick's. It became a mission of Church of Immaculate Conception in Elkton, Md. On the morning of December 25, 1880, the floor collapsed, and a decision was made to raze the church. While a new church was being built, Sunday Mass was held in the Newark Grange Hall. Because of the monies contributed by Father John A. Lyons and his family, the church was renamed in honor of his patron, St. John the Baptist. The cornerstone of the present building was laid on June 24, 1883, and construction was completed in December. In 1946 a major interior renovation was executed by the Philadelphia architects, Gleeson and Mulrooney. Building modifications included the installation of twelve memorial stained glass windows and a rose window at the south front facade. The belfry was altered after being struck by lightning in 1953. In July of 1991, a fire caused extensive damage to the front of the sanctuary. Due to the quick response of the Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Company, the structure was saved. The building is an excellent example of Romanesque Revival ecclesiastical architecture as interpreted by Newark builders.
In 1868, the original Old Village Presbyterian Church, which stood on this location, was purchased by Charles A. Murphey. The property was donated to the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, and the church was named St. Patrick's. It became a mission of Church of Immaculate Conception in Elkton, Md. On the morning of December 25, 1880, the floor collapsed, and a decision was made to raze the church. While a new church was being built, Sunday Mass was held in the Newark Grange Hall. Because of the monies contributed by Father John A. Lyons and his family, the church was renamed in honor of his patron, St. John the Baptist. The cornerstone of the present building was laid on June 24, 1883, and construction was completed in December. In 1946 a major interior renovation was executed by the Philadelphia architects, Gleeson and Mulrooney. Building modifications included the installation of twelve memorial stained glass windows and a rose window at the south front facade. The belfry was altered after being struck by lightning in 1953. In July of 1991, a fire caused extensive damage to the front of the sanctuary. Due to the quick response
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of the Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Company, the structure was saved. The building is an excellent example of Romanesque Revival ecclesiastical architecture as interpreted by Newark builders.
Erected 2002 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-122.)
Location. 39° 41.027′ N, 75° 44.731′ W. Marker is in Newark, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is on Chapel Street near E. Main Street (Delaware Route 273), on the right when traveling north. E. Main Street is 1-way westbound at this point. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newark DE 19711, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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
Photographed by William Pfingsten, July 29, 2008
2. St. John the Baptist Church
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.
St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church was built in 1883 to replace an earlier church, known as St. Patrick's...St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church is the first and only building built by and for Newark's Catholic community.
(Submitted on April 22, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,614 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on July 1, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
