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

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Harmony United Methodist Church

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2010

1. Harmony United Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. This congregation was organized in 1818 by members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. On March 20, 1819, trustees Purnal Johnson, Burton Johnson, William Hanzor, John Cornish, and Mitchell Johnson, purchased one half acre of land in Indian River Hundred on which to erect a Meeting House. Under the leadership of Reverend Thomas H Johnson, the church was officially incorporated as Harmony Methodist Episcopal Church on April 21, 1875. A new house of worship was erected in 1891 on land adjacent to Harmony Cemetery. The cemetery lot was formally purchase from William T. Hurdle on June 4, 1915. A wooded area near the church was used for outdoor services, then known as “bush meetings.” On February 13, 1939, a new church site was purchase from Oscar W. and Winona J. Wright by trustees Harvey W. Burton, Wilbur Harmon, Charles Davis, Samuel H, Jackson, Albert Lee Hall, Horace E. Wright, LeRoy Shelton, John W Thompson, and Dorsey E. Johnson. Construction of the present Harmony United Methodist Church began in 1940. The cornerstone was laid on September 13, 1942, and the opening service was held on April 18, 1943.

Erected 2004 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-187.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1962.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 36.358′ N, 75° 13.119′ W. Marker was near Millsboro, Delaware, in Sussex County. It was on John J Williams Highway (Delaware Route 24), on the right when traveling west. Located between Tecumseh Pass and County Road 313. Touch for map.

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Marker was at or near this postal address: 27270 John J Williams Hwy, Millsboro DE 19966, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was on Delaware’s Beaches.

It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic

and on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Harmony United Methodist Church (here, next to this marker); Indian Mission School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rosedale Beach Hotel and Resort (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bullseye-Ferry Landing (approx. 1.3 miles away); Chair of Honor (approx. 1½ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); Patton Medium Tank (approx. 1½ miles away); Learning Garden (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Millsboro.

Another marker is no longer nearby.

Harmony United Methodist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2010

2. Harmony United Methodist Church and Marker

Ancient Paths (was approx. one mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Harmony United Methodist Church. National Register of Historic Places:
Harmony Church ** (added 1979 - Building - #79003308)
Period of Significance: 1875-1899 •
Historic Function: Religion •
Historic Sub-function: Religious Structure •

Also see . . . Harmony Church - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.

Prior to 1888, Harmony Church served all the remnant Indian families of the Nanticoke community. After a bitter controversy over the hiring of a black minister, many of the separatist families withdrew. This property illustrates the institutional assimilation of some remnant Indian families into black society.

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

Harmony United Methodist Church Marker, looking west along John J. Williams Highway (State Route 24) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2010

3. Harmony United Methodist Church Marker, looking west along John J. Williams Highway (State Route 24)

Harmony United Methodist Church Marker, looking east image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2010

4. Harmony United Methodist Church Marker, looking east

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,782 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 16, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.