Seaford in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007

1. St. Luke's Episcopal Church Marker

Inscription. The origin of this parish can be traced to 1704, when a log chapel known as St. Mary's was constructed on Chapel Branch in Northwest Fork Hundred. The devastating impact of the Revolution on the Church of England in America contributed to the discontinuation of services there by the early 1800s. In 1835, the Reverend Corry Chambers was sent to the Seaford area by the Diocese of Delaware. Finding St. Mary's in ruins, he organized St. Luke's from the remnants of the former congregation. Services were held for a time in Union Meeting House at High and Church Streets. This site was donated by Dr. John Gibbons, and construction of the present church was begun in 1838. On May 28, 1843, St. Luke's was formally consecrated by Bishop Alfred Lee. The church was remodeled and enlarged in 1886. Facilities were further expanded with the completion of a Parish House in 1931. Prominent citizens interred in the adjoining cemetery include William H. Ross, Governor of Delaware (1851-1855); and Edward L. Martin, member of the United States House of Representative (1879-1883). St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church was listed in the National

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Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Erected 2002 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-163.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 28, 1843.

Location. 38° 38.626′ N, 75° 36.543′ W. Marker is in Seaford, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is on Front Street (Business U.S. 13) 0.1 miles High Street, on the right when traveling north. Between King and Poplar streets, attached to the church building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Seaford DE 19973, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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,

one of the original

St. Luke's Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007

2. St. Luke's Church

Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Governor William H. H. Ross (a few steps from this marker); Forty & Eight Boxcar (within shouting distance of this marker); Killed in Action Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Nanticoke Post No. 6 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away); Gateway to Freedom: The Tilly Escape (about 700 feet away); Mount Olivet United Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); St. John's United Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seaford.

More about this marker. Governor Ross is the subject of his own marker, just to the right of the church building.

Also see . . . St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.

Although it is Seaford's oldest church building still in use, St. Luke's is architecturally significant primarily for its 1904 Gothic-revival reconstruction which remains in a high state of preservation. It faithfully repeats English
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country church architecture in detail, even including the traditional yew tree near the southeast corner. In other respects, the Gothic model was altered to conform to modern practice. For example, the main door rather than being in the south, is in the west, through the tower. On the whole, however, the architect successfully captured the style and spirit of his prototype.

(Submitted on April 24, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,338 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2009, by Christopher T. George of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.