Lewes Historic District in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Old Bethel Church

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011

1. Old Bethel Church Marker

Inscription. Built in 1790 as a meeting place for Methodists, this structure originally stood at third and Market Streets and consisted of one large room with an end gallery (slave box). In 1828 it was moved to Church and Mulberry Streets and enlarged to serve the growing congregation. Replaced by a larger structure in 1870 and therefore nor longer needed as a church building it was moved to this site and considerably altered thereafter into two private residences. Restoration of the 1790 large room and end gallery was begun in 1980. Completed in 1982 by John M. Vessels, Jr. this building and Barratt's Chapel near Frederica are the only two 18th century Methodist Preaching Houses to have survived in Delaware to the present day.
" We have a chapel built at Lewistown."
... from the journal of Bishop Francis Asbury,
October 23, 1790

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Francis Asbury, Traveling Methodist Preacher series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1946.

Location. 38° 46.531′ N, 75° 8.503′ W. Marker is in Lewes, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in the Lewes Historic District. It is on Mulberry Street near 3rd Street, on the right when traveling

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west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lewes DE 19958, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Delaware’s Beaches.

It is also 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: Ryves Holt House (within shouting distance of this marker); John Penrose Virden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Captain Chambers Chance (about 300 feet away); Old Court House (about 300 feet away); Fisherman's Cottage (about 300 feet away); St. Peter's Episcopal Church (about 300 feet away); 326 West Third Street (about 400 feet away); Burton-Ingram House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewes.

Old Bethel Church Marker, at left along Mulberry Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011

2. Old Bethel Church Marker, at left along Mulberry Street

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011

3. Old Bethel Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 932 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 9, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.