Duck Creek Hundred in Smyrna in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Site of Old Asbury Methodist Church

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, December 15, 2010

1. Site of Old Asbury Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. The roots of Methodism in this community can be traced to the organization of a local “society” in the 1770’s. Meetings were held in private homes before a frame structure was built here circa 1786 on land provided by Col. Allan McLane, Revolutionary War hero and early advocate of Methodism. On May 9, 1799, the meeting house and burial ground were formally conveyed to the church trustees for 5 shillings. The Philadelphia Annual Conference was held here on numerous occasions in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Francis Asbury and many other Methodist pioneers were frequent visitors. Services were held here until 1845, when the congregation relocated to a new site, and the old church was dismantled and moved.

Erected 1996 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-56.)

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 Francis Asbury, Traveling Methodist Preacher series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1924.

Location. 39° 18.051′ N, 75° 36.589′ W.

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Marker is in Smyrna, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in Duck Creek Hundred. It is on Delaware Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is between Mt. Vernon and North Streets at the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Smyrna DE 19977, 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 walking distance of this marker: Home of Allen McLane (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Presbyterian Church of Smyrna (about 700 feet away); The John Cummins Mansion (about 700 feet away); St. Peter's Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away); Site of Green Pottery (about 700 feet away); In Memory of Victor D. Ennis (about 700 feet away); Citizens' Hose Company No. 1. Inc. (about 700 feet away); Thornley House

Old Asbury Methodist Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, December 15, 2010

2. Old Asbury Methodist Cemetery

(about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smyrna.

Another marker is no longer nearby. "First in the World" (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Delaware Public Archives. Though it isn't listed on the marker, the Delaware Public Archives website has this marker listed as "KC-56". (Submitted on April 30, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,207 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 16, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.