Milford Hundred in 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. 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: 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 date for this entry is November 20, 1848.

Location. 38° 53.745′ N, 75° 30.487′ W. Marker is in Houston, Delaware, in

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Kent County. It is in Milford Hundred. It is at the intersection of Williamsville Road and Abbotts Pond Road, on the right when traveling east 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.

Regionally, this marker is 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: World War II Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); Abbott's Mill (approx. 1.8 miles away); Staytonville Cemetery (approx. 3.2 miles away); Delaware State Fair (approx. 3.6 miles away); Milford (approx. 3.7 miles away); Milford's Struggle for Educational Equality (approx. 3.8 miles away); a different marker also named Milford (approx. 4.1 miles away); Parson Thorne Mansion (approx. 4.1 miles away).

Also see . . . Griffith's Chapel - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.

Historically, Griffith’s Chapel is particularly illustrative seen in connection with nearby Barratt’s Chapel (N.R. 1972). This large and ambitious structure, built in brick in the late 18th century, has been called ”The Gradle of Methodism” because it housed early meetings leading to the establishment of Methodism as a separate denomination. If Barratt’s Chapel represents the cradle stage, then Griffith’s Chapel represents the rural adolescence of American Methodism. Its, simple,
Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

2. Griffith's Chapel
functional, but affectionately decorated frame provided the necessary setting for circuit riders and lay preachers to a country congregation.

(Submitted on April 23, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Griffith's Chapel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

3. Griffith's Chapel

National Register of Historic Places Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

4. National Register of Historic Places Plaque

Griffith's Chapel Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

5. Griffith's Chapel Cemetery

Griffith's Chapel Outhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, November 12, 2010

6. Griffith's Chapel Outhouse

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,270 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 1, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.