Bethel in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Sailor's Bethel Methodist Church
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 15, 2012
1. Sailor's Bethel Methodist Church Marker
Inscription.
Sailor's Bethel Methodist Church. . The roots of this congregation can be traced to 1809, when a house of worship was constructed to serve the needs of the many residents of this area who were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. First known as Elzey Moore’s Meeting House, the name of the church was formally changed to Wesley Chapel in 1825. Following the closing of Wesley in 1852, members of the congregation who resided in the vicinity of the seafaring village of Lewisville conducted services in area homes. In 1855 they constructed a church at this location on land purchased from Bayard Moore. The church became known as Sailor’s Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1880 the name of Lewisville was formally changed to Bethel, reflecting the importance of this community institution. The present church was built in 1884, and its name was subsequently abbreviated to Bethel M.E. Church. With the discontinuation of services at St. John’s Methodist Protestant Church in 1902, many of its members joined the Bethel congregation. Their former church was obtained and converted for use as the Community Hall. This site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. In 2004 the members of the church elected to reclaim the historical name of Sailor’s Bethel Church.
The roots of this congregation can be traced to 1809, when a house of worship was constructed to serve the needs of the many residents of this area who were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. First known as Elzey Moore’s Meeting House, the name of the church was formally changed to Wesley Chapel in 1825. Following the closing of Wesley in 1852, members of the congregation who resided in the vicinity of the seafaring village of Lewisville conducted services in area homes. In 1855 they constructed a church at this location on land purchased from Bayard Moore. The church became known as Sailor’s Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1880 the name of Lewisville was formally changed to Bethel, reflecting the importance of this community institution. The present church was built in 1884, and its name was subsequently abbreviated to Bethel M.E. Church. With the discontinuation of services at St. John’s Methodist Protestant Church in 1902, many of its members joined the Bethel congregation. Their former church was obtained and converted for use as the Community Hall. This site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. In 2004 the members of the church elected to reclaim the historical name of Sailor’s Bethel Church.
Erected 2004 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number
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SC-191.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1809.
Location. 38° 34.232′ N, 75° 37.152′ W. Marker is in Bethel, Delaware, in Sussex County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Avenue and Main Avenue on Main Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7752 Main Ave, Bethel DE 19931, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Sailor's Bethel Methodist Church and Marker at left
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 15, 2012
3. Sailor's Bethel Methodist Church with adjoining cemetery, along Main Street at Main Avenue
Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 515 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
