Dover in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Wesley United Methodist Church
Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, December 15, 2010
1. Wesley United Methodist Church Marker
Inscription.
Wesley United Methodist Church. . The origin of this congregation can be traced to the establishment of a Methodist society in Dover in 1778. Land on North Street was obtained in 1782, and a brick chapel was completed there in 1784. Bishops Francis Asbury and Richard Whatcoat, pioneers of American Methodism, often conducted services there. Needing more space, the present site was purchased for a new church. The cornerstone was laid on September 23, 1850, and the building was dedicated the following February. To accommodate further growth, the church was enlarged in 1870 and 1884. A major rebuilding project in 1897 included the addition of stained glass windows, organ pipes, and a lofty beamed ceiling, giving the church a cathedral like appearance. Another addition was built in 1924. In 1950, Grace Fellowship Hall was added, St. Paul’s Chapel was created, and a major redesign of the sanctuary took place. The former Post Office Building to the east became the Education Center in 1967.
The origin of this congregation can be traced to the establishment of a Methodist society in Dover in 1778. Land on North Street was obtained in 1782, and a brick chapel was completed there in 1784. Bishops Francis Asbury and Richard Whatcoat, pioneers of American Methodism, often conducted services there. Needing more space, the present site was purchased for a new church. The cornerstone was laid on September 23, 1850, and the building was dedicated the following February. To accommodate further growth, the church was enlarged in 1870 and 1884. A major rebuilding project in 1897 included the addition of stained glass windows, organ pipes, and a lofty beamed ceiling, giving the church a cathedral like appearance. Another addition was built in 1924. In 1950, Grace Fellowship Hall was added, St. Paul’s Chapel was created, and a major redesign of the sanctuary took place. The former Post Office Building to the east became the Education Center in 1967.
Erected 2003 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-79.)
39° 9.461′ N, 75° 31.448′ W. Marker is in Dover, Delaware, in Kent County. Marker is on South State Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 South State Street, Dover DE 19901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
6. Wesley United Methodist Church and Marker (at right)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 910 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on December 18, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on January 19, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 18, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 6. submitted on October 21, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
