Laurel in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Christ United Methodist Church
Photographed by F. Robby, December 8, 2007
1. Christ United Methodist Church Marker
Inscription.
Christ United Methodist Church. . In the fall of 1831, Reverend Thomas Pearson came to Laurel to assist with the establishment of a Methodist Protestant congregation in the community. With its founding, the church became one of the first of this denomination in Delaware. Early meetings were held in a schoolhouse. A church was constructed on West Street in 1832, and a cemetery established nearby. Desiring a new house of worship, the congregation purchased property on Wheat Street - not Central Avenue, in 1866. A two-story frame church was completed the following year. This building was used until 1911, when the present stone structure was constructed. Additional land was acquired over the years and church facilities were expanded. Property adjoining the church was purchased in 2000 to accommodate a growing congregation., Pastors of note include Reverend James H. Straughn, whoe served the congregation from 1912 - 1919. He was a leader of the Methodist unification movement in the 1930s, and was chosen to serve as Bishop when the churches merged.
In the fall of 1831, Reverend Thomas Pearson came to Laurel to assist with the establishment of a Methodist Protestant congregation in the community. With its founding, the church became one of the first of this denomination in Delaware. Early meetings were held in a schoolhouse. A church was constructed on West Street in 1832, and a cemetery established nearby. Desiring a new house of worship, the congregation purchased property on Wheat Street - not Central Avenue, in 1866. A two-story frame church was completed the following year. This building was used until 1911, when the present stone structure was constructed. Additional land was acquired over the years and church facilities were expanded. Property adjoining the church was purchased in 2000 to accommodate a growing congregation.
Pastors of note include Reverend James H. Straughn, whoe served the congregation from 1912 - 1919. He was a leader of the Methodist unification movement in the 1930s, and was chosen to serve as Bishop when the churches merged.
Erected 2001 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-145.)
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 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.
Location.
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38° 33.291′ N, 75° 34.247′ W. Marker is in Laurel, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is on Central Avenue (Business U.S. 13) 0.1 miles south of Market Street (Delaware Route 24), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Laurel DE 19956, 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.
Stone built into exterior wall of existing church.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,441 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 30, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.
