Houston in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Griffith's Chapel
Williamsville Methodist Church
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010
1. Griffith's Chapel Marker
Inscription.
Griffith's Chapel. Williamsville Methodist Church. When Methodism first came to this area in the late 18th century, residents worshipped in local homes and journeyed to nearby towns to attend services. On November 20, 1848 William and Sarah Griffith conveyed land at this location to Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church to build "thereon a church or place of worship". Construction was completed circa 1850, and the building was named in their honor. The chapel is a well-preserved example of a mid-nineteenth century, rural Methodist meeting house. The plain interior contains a balcony, recessed apse and original pews. Services were conducted here until the mid-1970s. In 1982 the Peninsula Conference of the United Methodist Church deeded the property to the Williamsville Historical Society. Griffith's Chapel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
When Methodism first came to this area in the late 18th century, residents worshipped in local homes and journeyed to nearby towns to attend services. On November 20, 1848 William and Sarah Griffith conveyed land at this location to Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church to build "thereon a church or place of worship". Construction was completed circa 1850, and the building was named in their honor. The chapel is a well-preserved example of a mid-nineteenth century, rural Methodist meeting house. The plain interior contains a balcony, recessed apse and original pews. Services were conducted here until the mid-1970s. In 1982 the Peninsula Conference of the United Methodist Church deeded the property to the Williamsville Historical Society. Griffith's Chapel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Erected 2008 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-109.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1946.
Location. 38° 53.75′ N, 75° 30.493′ W. Marker is in Houston, Delaware, in Kent County. Marker is at the intersection of Williamsville Road and
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Abbotts Pond Road on Williamsville Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3529 Williamsville Rd, Houston DE 19954, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010
2. Griffith's Chapel
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010
3. Griffith's Chapel
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010
4. National Register of Historic Places Plaque
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010
5. Griffith's Chapel Cemetery
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010
6. Griffith's Chapel Outhouse
Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 934 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 1, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.