Broadkill Hundred in Milton in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
St. John The Baptist Episcopal Church
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 12, 2010
1. St. John The Baptist Episcopal Church Marker
With expansion of settlement away from coastal areas in the early 18th century, there was a growing need for houses of worship to be located nearer to the homes of the settlers. In the spring of 1728, a frame chapel was constructed approximately two and one half miles west of here. The effort was led by Reverend William Becket, a Church of England missionary, who reported that the building was located in the forest of Sussex and was named for St. John the Baptist. Despite attempts to sustain it, the declining condition of the structure, an insufficient number of clergy, and the economic and political turmoil of the times, resulted in the abandonment of the old church around 1800.
After sporadic efforts to revive the congregation, the church was formally re-established in 1867. The present building was completed in 1877, and consecrated by Bishop Alfred Lee in June of that year. It was extensively remodeled in 1936, when a veneer of brick was added to the exterior. The adjoining Parish House was completed in 1941. St. John The Baptist Episcopal Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Erected 2002 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-156.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures
this page online
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 46.521′ N, 75° 18.677′ W. Marker was in Milton, Delaware, in Sussex County. It was in Broadkill Hundred. It was on Federal Street (Delaware Route 5), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 307 Federal Street, Milton DE 19968, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was 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 walking distance of this location: The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist (here, next to this marker); Governor Joseph Maull Carey (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor James Ponder (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 311 Chestnut Street (about 300 feet away); Goshen United Methodist Church (about 300 feet away); Draper-Adkins House (about 400 feet away); Golden Rule Lodge #17, I.O.O.F. (about 400 feet away); Lank House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milton.
Also see . . . Milton Historic District - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 12, 2010
2. St. John The Baptist Episcopal Church and Marker
Across Federal Street is St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (No. 71 in the inventory) which dates from 1887, though with the later addition of brick veneer (1936) and a rear parish house. In spite of the brick, the church is a very good example of Gothic church architecture with its trefoil lancet windows and other details.(Submitted on April 24, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 12, 2010
3. St. John The Baptist Episcopal Church
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 12, 2010
4. St. John The Baptist Episcopal Church Marker at 307 Federal Street looking north
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 705 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 2, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
