Charles H. Chipman Cultural Center

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 21, 2011

1. Charles H. Chipman Cultural Center Marker

Inscription. Built in 1838, the Chipman Center is the oldest standing African-American church on Delmarva. It occupies the site of a former open meadow where slaves gathered for worship services conducted by Methodist circuit riders. In 1837 five local freedmen began holding services in a small red-pine slab building on the property of William Williams. Funds were raised to purchase the property and build a meeting house. The property was purchased in 1838. A plain and long one-story structure was built for religious services and a day school. The church was identified as the African Methodist Church and informally known as the "Hill Church" or "Church on the Hill."

The building was later expanded, incorporated in 1876, and named the John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church. It was later combined with another church and formed the present Wesley Temple United Methodist Church. The property was abandoned as a church and purchased by educators Charles and Jeanette Chipman. They later deeded the property to the Newtown Association.

Erected by Funding provided by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Delmarva Low Impact Tourism Experiences, Inc., Maryland Historical Trust, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council, and the Rural Development Center, University of

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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Maryland Historical Trust series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 22.083′ N, 75° 35.75′ W. Marker was in Salisbury, Maryland, in Wicomico County. It was at the intersection of Broad Street and Ellen Street on Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 325 Broad St, Salisbury MD 21801, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was on the Eastern Shore.

It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and in the Tidewater.

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 one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The Church Street Mural Project (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wicomico Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Poplar Hill Mansion (approx. ¼ mile away); Popular Hill Mansion (approx. ¼ mile away); Newtown Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away); Final Resting Place

Cultural Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 21, 2011

2. Cultural Center

(approx. ¼ mile away); F. Leonard Wailes Law Office (approx. 0.3 miles away); The General Humphreys Cannon (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salisbury.

Cultural Center (Front) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 21, 2011

3. Cultural Center (Front)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 942 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 21, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.