Milford Hundred in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Christ Church

Mispillion Milford

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 21, 2011

1. Christ Church Marker

Inscription. Christ Church Mispillion was the second parish in Delaware established by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The Rev. Thomas Crawford first held services of the Church of England in lower Kent County in 1704. The previous church was located at Church Hill about three miles west of Milford. The Rev. Sydenham Thorne, the first resident rector, was instrumental in the relocation of the church to the new town of Milford. Construction of the church in Milford was started in 1791, but was interrupted by Thorne's death in 1793. The Rev. Corry Chambers is credited with completing the structure, which was consecrated on January 26, 1836. The colonial-style church was remodeled and enlarged in the present Gothic-style between 1863 and 1865. The bell tower was added in 1895. Interned in the churchyard are Joseph Oliver, the founder of Milford, and two of Delaware's Governors: William Tharp and Dr. William Burton. Christ Episcopal Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Erected 2006 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-101.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era

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• Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1866.

Location. 38° 54.936′ N, 75° 25.897′ W. Marker is in Milford, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in Milford Hundred. It is on N. Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 N Church Street, Milford DE 19963, 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: Joseph Oliver (here, next to this marker); Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Milford's First Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); The Towers (about 700 feet away); Site of the Home of General Alfred T.A. Torbert (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mispillion River Greenway Historical Sites (approx. ¼ mile away); Parson Thorne Mansion (approx. ¼ mile away); Milford (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milford.

Also see . . .
1. Christ Church website. (Submitted on April 22, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. Christ Church - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.

National Register Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 21, 2011

2. National Register Marker

One of the original Anglican parishes in Delaware, Christ Church Parish was established in 1704 by the missionaries of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. It was served by the Society until 1777.

(Submitted on April 24, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Christ Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 21, 2011

3. Christ Church

The National Register marker is located next to the large red doors (the entrance) and the historic marker is located next to the bell tower.

Gov. William Burton Tombstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 21, 2011

4. Gov. William Burton Tombstone

The large tombstone in the center is for Gov. William Burton who was governor of Delaware from 1859-1863.

Gov. William Tharp Tombstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 21, 2011

5. Gov. William Tharp Tombstone

Gov. Tharp's tombstone is the large one to the right. He served as governor of Delaware from 1847-1851.

Joseph Oliver Tombstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, April 21, 2011

6. Joseph Oliver Tombstone

Joseph Oliver was the founder of Milford in 1787. He died in 1807.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,071 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on October 5, 2013, by Kathleen Black of Woodbridge, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 21, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.