Gumboro Hundred near Millsboro in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Bethel Church

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2012

1. Bethel Church Marker

Inscription. During the late 18th century Methodist itinerants traveled throughout the peninsula. Their efforts were well-received in rural areas such as this, described as the “heart of Methodism” in the 1780’s. The seeds sown by those early travelers continued to bear fruit as membership increased and congregations multiplied. On February 23, 1841, a group of local Methodists purchased land where “a meeting house” called Bethel had been erected. By the end of the 19th century annual camp meetings were being held. Bethel Church continues to be a center for worship, serving this rural community in the spirit of the founders of Methodism.

Erected 1993 by Delaware State Archives. (Marker Number SC-97.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1894.

Location. 38° 27.14′ N, 75° 21.326′ W. Marker is near Millsboro, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Gumboro Hundred. It is on Bethel Road (County Road 419) near Maryland, Wicomoco (County Road 166), on the

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left when traveling north. Located at the Maryland - Delaware State line. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22365 Bethel Rd, Millsboro DE 19966, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Delaware’s Beaches.

It is also 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 Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gumboro United Methodist Church (approx. 1.9 miles away); Gumboro School (approx. 2.2 miles away); Line United Methodist Church (approx. 3.4 miles away); Jones Cemetery (approx. 3.8 miles away); Westwoods Methodist Church (approx. 3.9 miles away); Gumboro Hundred (approx. 4.8 miles away); Bethany United Methodist Church (approx. 5½ miles away); Woody's Diner (approx. 6.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Bethel Church Marker, looking north on Bethel Road (County Road 419) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2012

2. Bethel Church Marker, looking north on Bethel Road (County Road 419)

of all markers in Millsboro.

Bethel Church Marker at Maryland Line Wicomico County Rd 166, left, heading southeast image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2012

3. Bethel Church Marker at Maryland Line Wicomico County Rd 166, left, heading southeast

Bethel Church and Marker (R) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2012

4. Bethel Church and Marker (R)

Bethel Church Cemetery, across the road from the church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2012

5. Bethel Church Cemetery, across the road from the church

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 835 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on September 4, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 7, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.