East Dover Hundred in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Site Of Kent Countys First Presbyterian Church
Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, October 9, 2006
1. Site Of Kent Countys First Presbyterian Church Marker
Inscription.
Site Of Kent Countys First Presbyterian Church. . A Presbyterian Society, present in Kent from c1694, was organized and worshipped in a log church on this site from c1708 until 1791. The Presbytery of Philadelphia recognized its congregation in 1714. The present church was built in 1791 and served its congregation until 1924 when a new church was dedicated at State and Reed Street. The Chapel was added in 1880. Among the burials are Col. John Haslet, Commander of the Delaware Regiment, who was killed during the Battle of Princeton in 1777; John M. Clayton (1796-1856), U. S. Secretary of State; and Governors Jacob Stout (c1767-1857), Charles Polk (1788-1857) and J. Caleb Boggs (1909-1993). The 2nd State Constitutional Convention (1791-1792) chaired by John Dickinson, and the 3rd State Constitutional Convention in 1832 were held here. The church and chapel became part of the Delaware State Museum in 1949. The Cemetery is the property of the Presbyterian Church of Dover. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
A Presbyterian Society, present in Kent from c1694, was organized and worshipped in a log church on this site from c1708 until 1791. The Presbytery of Philadelphia recognized its congregation in 1714. The present church was built in 1791 and served its congregation until 1924 when a new church was dedicated at State and Reed Street. The Chapel was added in 1880. Among the burials are Col. John Haslet, Commander of the Delaware Regiment, who was killed during the Battle of Princeton in 1777; John M. Clayton (1796-1856), U. S. Secretary of State; and Governors Jacob Stout (c1767-1857), Charles Polk (1788-1857) and J. Caleb Boggs (1909-1993). The 2nd State Constitutional Convention (1791-1792) chaired by John Dickinson, and the 3rd State Constitutional Convention in 1832 were held here. The church and chapel became part of the Delaware State Museum in 1949. The Cemetery is the property of the Presbyterian Church of Dover. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Erected 2005 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-94.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed
Location. 39° 9.357′ N, 75° 31.597′ W. Marker is in Dover, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in East Dover Hundred. It is on South Governor's Avenue 0.2 miles south of West North Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia PA 19104, 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: Colonel John Haslet (a few steps from this marker); John M. Clayton
The Old Presbyterian Church is an excellent specimen of the religious architecture of the Federal period. The congregation it housed for 134 years was the first of the denomination in Kent County and an important factor in the ethical and educational development of the town and county from 1714. Among members buried in its churchyard are John M. Clayton (1796-1856), jurist, statesman and United States Secretary of State; and Colonel John Haslet, commanding officer of the Delaware Battalion in the Revolution until his death at the Battle of Trenton in January, 1777.
(Submitted on April 24, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2008, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 2,142 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on April 28, 2025. 2. submitted on February 4, 2008, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.
