Near Harbeson in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Indian Mission United Methodist Church
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2010
1. Indian Mission United Methodist Church Marker
The church was formally incorporated on May 23, 1915. In 1921 a new building was constructed and named Indian Mission M.P. Church. The Nanticoke people continue to hold their religious services here, and the church continues to provide cohesiveness for the Nanticoke to retain their Native heritage and culture.
The oldest marked grave is that of Ann Johnson, who died October 7, 1885. Indian Mission United Methodist Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 26, 1979.
Erected 2002 by The Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-122.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures
this page online
Location. 38° 40.386′ N, 75° 14.056′ W. Marker is near Harbeson, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is on Harbeson Road (Delaware Route 5) near Hollymount Road (County Road 48), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22701 Indian Mission Rd, Harbeson DE 19951, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Delawares Beaches. 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, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Saint George's Chapel (approx. 1.2 miles away); St. Georges Chapel (approx. 1.2 miles away); Conley's Chapel (approx. 2.7 miles away); Zoar Methodist Church (approx. 3.9 miles away); Rabbit's Ferry School 201-C (approx. 3.9 miles away); St. John's Methodist Church (approx. 4 miles away); Patton Medium Tank (approx. 4.3 miles away); Chair of Honor (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harbeson.
Regarding Indian Mission United Methodist Church. National Register of Historic Places:
Indian Mission Church ** (added 1979 - Building - #79003307)
Historic Significance: Event
Area of Significance: Native American
Cultural
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2010
2. Indian Mission United Methodist Church and Marker
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Also see . . . Indian Mission Church - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.
The present Indian Mission Church replaced the simple chapel constructed after the strongly Indian families of the Nanticoke community separated from Harmony church over the hiring of a black minister. It continues to serve the separatist faction of the community, and illustrates the effect to maintain ethnic identity through institutional separation.(Submitted on April 24, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2010
3. Indian Mission United Methodist Church
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2010
4. Indian Mission United Methodist Church and Marker, looking north along Harbeson Road (DE 5)
near the intersection with County Road 48 (Hollymount Road).
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2010
5. Headstone for Ann Johnson, as mentioned on marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,368 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 5, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
