"Almost all of the Africans who came to America before 1865 were enslaved… Struggling to establish stable lives despite harsh conditions. Once they were legally free, their troubles were far from over, since African Americans were . . . — — Map (db m238415) HM
One of the first tasks the Welsh performed was the establishment of two houses of worship. Among the Welsh were both Baptist and Presbyterian and the Baptist built their church on the north side of Iron Hill in 1703. Rebuilt in 1746, it remains . . . — — Map (db m158217) HM
Ashton Richardson built Ashley Mansion in 1804 on land he inherited from his father. A prominent Quaker, Ashton Richardson owned several milling operations and was considered one of the most eligible bachelors in the area. After marrying in 1807, . . . — — Map (db m196413) HM
Tradition states that a young Irish immigrant moved to the local area in 1786 and sought out a Methodist minister from Wilmington to preach in Newport. By the early nineteenth century, a permanent Methodist Society had been established in the area. . . . — — Map (db m92147) HM
Believed to be one of the smallest Quaker Meeting Houses in the nation, the Appoquinimink Friends Meeting House was built in 1785 by David Wilson and presented to the Friends as a gift. Local tradition identifies this structure as a stop on the . . . — — Map (db m10308) HM
Delaware clock-maker of great distinction and silversmith lived and labored here for about thirty years until his death in 1797. Was a prominent member of Old Drawyers Presbyterian Church. Made contract with State of Delaware in 1776 for manufacture . . . — — Map (db m236871) HM
The history of this congregation may be traced to the 1670s, when Dutch and Swedish members of the "Reformed Church" were gathering locally for worship. By the first decade of the 18th century the settlement of persons largely of Scottish descent . . . — — Map (db m10538) HM
In 1831, a Methodist Society was organized in this community. The congregation was incorporated as Cantwell's Bridge Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832. A small meeting house known as "Brickbat Church" was subsequently constructed on land provided . . . — — Map (db m10539) HM
The Presbyterian Church, on the opposite corner across the intersection, now occupies the site originally intended as Port Penn's market square. Dr. David Stewart, Sr., believed to be the founder of Port Penn, envisioned a central market similar . . . — — Map (db m10395) HM
Port Penn
Presbyterian Church
is listed in the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
c. 1856
— — Map (db m174825) HM
This congregation was organized in 1812. For a number of years services were conducted by Methodist “circuit riders” in members’ homes and local schools. On March 7, 1834, Thomas and Hannah Aldred donated land at this location on which to build a . . . — — Map (db m175220) HM
A log church was built here in 1789 on land donated by Joseph Dickinson. The church was named "Dickinson's Chapel" in his honor. Francis Asbury and many other pioneers of American Methodism conducted services here. Levi Scott, a native of this area . . . — — Map (db m10608) HM
Scott Church and its congregation grew from a Sunday school that was started in Blackbird in 1886. By 1898, the church was incorporated and a site for the church was purchased. Construction began in 1899 and the church was dedicated on Sunday, . . . — — Map (db m94187) HM
"The Rocks," a natural landing on the Christina River, was critical to Wilmington's Underground Railroad network. Captain James Watson Fountain outfitted a schooner to secretly carry freedom-seekers north from North Carolina and Virginia. Black . . . — — Map (db m226518) HM
Organized about the year 1769. Early meetings held in academy woods, Gilpin’s Wharf and Thelwell’s School. Church Built in 1789.
Dedicated to Bishop Francis Asbury. Here is buried Allen McLane, Lieutenant in Caesar Rodney’s Regiment 1779; . . . — — Map (db m92275) HM
This building, once known as the Morrow Building, symbolizes the founding of an organized Jewish community in Delaware. Jews have been present in Delaware since the 1650's. Until the late 19th Century, the Jewish community was too small to maintain . . . — — Map (db m166679) HM
On this site in 1805 an historic institution in the Black experience was built. Its membership was commended by Bishop Francis Asbury when he visited the new church in 1806.
"The Africans here have a house to . . . — — Map (db m217948) HM
In 1805 a group of African-Americans, desiring greater freedom of worship, withdrew from Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church to form a separate congregation. Led by Peter Spencer and William Anderson, they established what was then known as the . . . — — Map (db m14757) HM
Born a slave, Bishop Spencer was the father of Delaware’s independent Black church movement. In 1813, he founded the Union Church of Africans, presently known as the African Union Methodist Protestant Church. The mother AUMP church . . . — — Map (db m144198) HM
Established in 1813 by free African American Peter Spencer, the Union Church of Africans was the first independent African American religious denomination in the United States. After leaving Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church to start Ezion . . . — — Map (db m94195) HM
The cradle of African-American Catholicism in Delaware, St. Joseph Church was organized in 1889 by Father John A. DeRuyter of the Josephites. Services were first held in the basement of St. Mary’s Church on 6th and Pine Streets. Incorporated as St. . . . — — Map (db m10919) HM
Zion Church in New York City, organized in 1796, was the catalyst by which the African Methodist Episcopal Zion denomination was established in 1821. By the 1870’s a number of Wilmington residents had affiliated themselves with this growing . . . — — Map (db m11011) HM
The oldest existing school in Delaware, Wilmington Friends was founded in 1748. It resided in the first meeting house of the Wilmington Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) at Fourth and West Streets, which had been built ten . . . — — Map (db m140064) HM
Not Just Workers, But Family
For as long as this was a family business, workers at Bancroft Mills were treated as members of the family. Long before workers had any rights, Joseph Bancroft and his sons provided decent wages and benefits not . . . — — Map (db m240816) HM
Bancroft Mills became a leading manufacturer through one family's business sense and Quaker values.
The Founder
Joseph Bancroft was both a devout Quaker and a wise businessman. By keeping his company up-to-date on new trends and . . . — — Map (db m240759) HM
On December 30, 1835, a group of local residents met at the Talley School House to organize themselves as a congregation of the Episcopal Church. The old school, which was located on Naaman’s Road, was purchased the following February to serve as a . . . — — Map (db m128090) HM
A standout athlete, Dominic "Dom" Montero, was a three-time All-Philadelphia Catholic League football selection. With Dim, Salesianum - the smallest school in the league - was a co-champion in 1934. Later, at LaSalle College, Dim earned Little . . . — — Map (db m217913) HM
The origin of this congregation can be traced to 1875, when members of a Sunday School class affiliated with First Baptist Church met to plan the organization of a separate church to serve the needs of the city's African-American residents. . . . — — Map (db m13583) HM
Newark Union Church was built in 1845 near the site of a 1704 poplar log Quaker meetinghouse and burial ground. The church was originally a one-room, two-story fieldstone structure built by Lewis Zebley and Joseph Sharpley for $800. Renovations in . . . — — Map (db m197040) HM
On May 10, 1846, a group of African-American residents of Wilmington who had affiliated themselves with the African Methodist Episcopal Church held a meeting for the purposes of electing trustees and organizing as a corporate body. At the time, . . . — — Map (db m168200) HM
This church was founded in 1858 and dedicated the same year by Bishop (now Saint) John N. Neumann of Philadelphia. Referred to at the time as a ‘model of beauty, simplicity, solidity and economy,” the church represents an example of the Byzantine . . . — — Map (db m92277) HM
This Historic Trail links the historical, social, and cultural patterns of development in Wilmington. The commercial and residential structures along this trail recreate the vitality and historic importance of 17th and 18th-century Wilmington. The . . . — — Map (db m130469) HM
In memory of the 6,000,000 men, women, and children, victims of hatred whom the Nazi's brutally murdered only because they were Jews.....
and the world remained silent. — — Map (db m215951) WM
תנצב״ח
Eternal witnesses of man's need for the world brotherhood
Nathan H. Arenson •
Nathan Balick •
Arthur M. Blatman •
Nathan Blume •
Morton Carlis •
Herman Cohen •
Charles Edelberg • . . . — — Map (db m174916) WM
E. I. du Pont and other Brandywine mill owners built this school in 1817. E. I. du Pont's daughter, Victorine, taught at this nondenominational school for 40 years and served as its superintendent. About 150 children attended every Sunday morning . . . — — Map (db m231917) HM
This church dedicated to the glory of God
in honor of Saint Elizabeth
Parish founded:
In 1908 by the newly appointed pastor, Father William Temple.
First Mass celebrated:
On June 1, 1908, by the Most Rev. John J. Monaghan, D.D., . . . — — Map (db m231517) HM
As the first century of our parish and the second millenium of our Catholic faith draw to a close we dedicate this bell which called the faithful to prayer for eight decades to our immigrant fathers and mothers who founded St. Hedwig . . . — — Map (db m217935) HM
St. Hedwig's R.C. Church
has been placed on the
National Register
of
Historic Places
November 12, 1982
Very Rev. Thomas F. Gardocki, Pastor
— — Map (db m196475) HM
The origin of this congregation is traced to the early 19th century when the Brandywine Manufacturer's Sunday School was established to serve the spiritual and educational needs of the families of workers in the industrial community on the . . . — — Map (db m13589) HM
By the late 1800s, the opportunities offered by Wilmington’s expanding economy made it a desirable destination for persons from Italy seeking freedom and prosperity. Settlement accelerated in the early 20th century, and in 1924, the Bishop of . . . — — Map (db m145724) HM
This church originally stood at the corner of 10th and Market Streets and was the first Presbyterian church in the city. It was constructed in 1740, just after Wilmington received its charter from King George II. Following the Battle of the . . . — — Map (db m13557) HM
This is the original Presbyterian Meeting House built in 1740 near Tenth & Market Streets
Presented by The First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, Delaware to The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Delaware and The National Society of . . . — — Map (db m240742) HM
These are the earliest dated fieldstone markers in the churchyard. Along with the carved initials, 1726 is still visible.
The initials stand for Kathrina and Brita Cock, Swedish sisters who died from typhoid fever within two days of each . . . — — Map (db m174903) HM
This small stone is probably one of the oldest still visible in the churchyard. It is not known who M. B. was or when he or she died.
The stone is typical of the simple rough markers of the late 1600s and early 1700s. — — Map (db m174891) HM
He served as pastor of Calvary Church, Rockdale PA from 1838 until 1841, at which time he was consecrated as first bishop of the Diocese of Delaware. Prior to Lee's consecration, affairs of the Episcopate had been administered by Assistant . . . — — Map (db m174913) HM
The Brinckles are an old Delaware family. The Rev. Samuel G. Brinckle was the first Rector of Christ Church, Christiana Hundred, "preaching almost until the time of his death in 1863," Gertrude Brinckle was the longtime librarian at the . . . — — Map (db m174890) HM
Horace Burr was a physician, an author and served in the Delaware Legislature. At Old Swedes he was Senior Warden and Vestryman. His 1899 translation of the early Swedish church records is still used today and is a valuable genealogical research . . . — — Map (db m174866) HM
Born Halland, Sweden, Christiern first appears Old Swedes Church records in 1714. The daughter of Elizabeth Justis and Matthias Peterson, Maria descends from Måns and Brita Andersson who arrived on Kalmar Nyckel in 1640. Christiern and Maria . . . — — Map (db m174896) HM
Dr. Joseph Capelle was a surgeon in the French army serving under General Rochambeau's command. After serving throughout the Revolutionary War, he decided to make his home here in America. He became a respected practitioner, a founding member of . . . — — Map (db m174904) HM
As noted at marker #8 "Iron Letters on the Church," wrought iron letters were hammered into the mortar on this east wall, above the altar window. Originally the lettering was "LUX-L.I. TENEBR ORIENS-EX ALTO." (Light from on high . . . — — Map (db m174906) HM
Miss Montgomery was the daughter of Capt. Hugh Montgomery, of Revolutionary War fame. She was prominent in Wilmington society in the first half of the 19th century. A successful teacher, she was also a founding member of the Female Bible Society. . . . — — Map (db m174908) HM
These French families fled a slave insurrection in Santo Domingo in 1791 and relocated to Wilmington. Peter Bauduy helped convince his friend Éleuthère Irénée duPont to settle here, and was an early partner of duPont's.
Some members of these . . . — — Map (db m174910) HM
Preparations to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the consecration of Old Swedes in 1998 produced some unexpected results.
Painters removed dozens of coats of paint from the south doors in preparation for painting. They found carved . . . — — Map (db m174892) HM
In 1638 a colony from Sweden landed at the Rocks nearby. There they built Fort Christina, worshiped therin until 1667 and then built a log church at Cranehook on South side of Christiana River. In 1698, inspired by their pastor, Eric Bjork, they . . . — — Map (db m11014) HM
Notice the numerals on the bell tower's north side and the letters on the south side.
The church was built with a hip roof at both ends. Before the consecration in 1699, Matthias de Foss, a blacksmith of the colony, forged iron letters and . . . — — Map (db m174846) HM
Over 15,000 people are buried here at Old Swedes. Many, like Miss Vining, are buried in unmarked graves. Her grave is believed to be in the southern area of the yard.
Mary was the daughter of John Vining, a Chief Justice and Speaker of the . . . — — Map (db m174909) HM
By 1750 the heavy roof had begun to force the thick walls apart, most noticeably on the north side, and much earlier than on the south side (see mark #14). Four stone "buttresses" were built to counter this effect. Years later, these open porticos . . . — — Map (db m174914) HM
Upon arrival from Sweden in 1697, Pastor Eric Björk began his quest to build a stone church to replace the decaying log structure on the south bank of the Christina River that had served the Swedish Lutheran congregation. Helga Trefaldighet . . . — — Map (db m174436) HM
Maj. Daniel Adams •
John Brynberg •
Peter Brynberg •
Dr. Joseph Capelle •
Thomas Coxe •
Matthew Cripps •
James Cunningham •
Benjamin Elliot •
Lt. John Hendrickson •
Timothy Jackson •
Maj. Peter Jaquett •
Griffith Jordan • . . . — — Map (db m174440) WM
By 1763, the foundation proved inadequate and the heavy roof began o force the thick walls apart. To counter this development, two large stone buttresses were built. In 1774, the gallery was built to add 25 new pews. The stairs were placed . . . — — Map (db m174911) HM
1638: Peter Minuit with a crew of Dutch sailors and Swedish soldiers, landed the Kalmar Nyckel and the Fogel Grip at a natural outcropping of rocks on the Minquas Kill. They named the river and the fort they built for Sweden's Queen . . . — — Map (db m174888) HM
Their ancestor became Lutheran, fled the Netherlands to avoid persecution, and settled on the Brandywine, calling his place "Vendever's Island."
In the presence of William Penn, Dr. Cornelius and Jacob Vandever became naturalized citizens in . . . — — Map (db m174905) HM
Upon completion of Old Swedes, the church bell was being hung in a tree on the north side of the church. Those living across the river and to the south complained they could not hear the bell, so a wooden scaffold was erected on the south side . . . — — Map (db m217893) HM
Born a slave, Bishop Peter Spencer was the father of Delaware's independent Black church movement. In 1813, he founded the Union Church of Africans, presently known as the African Union Methodist Protestant Church. The mother AUMP church stood on . . . — — Map (db m215949) HM
Dedicated to the wisdom and works of the Reverend Peter Spencer and his followers who founded here in 1813 the Union Church of Africans - the first Black church in America wholly controlled by descendants of Africans. — — Map (db m215950) HM
Grew from New-Wark Meeting established 1682. Present house is third in this vicinity. Friends School begun here in 1748 has operated continuously. Among 3,000 buried in yard are founders of Wilmington, John Dickinson, "Penman of the Revolution," and . . . — — Map (db m10943) HM
Tabernacle Full Gospel
Baptist Church
built c. 1866
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m217939) HM
Born August 21, 1789, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, Garrett came to Wilmington in 1822. A prominent merchant, his home and business were located nearby on Shipley Street. Garrett was committed to the anti-slavery efforts of his Quaker faith. He is . . . — — Map (db m67356) HM
The first Meeting House on this site was built in 1738. It was replaced in 1748 when a larger building was constructed. The old Meeting House was then converted into a school. Known as Wilmington Friends School, it was relocated to a new facility in . . . — — Map (db m10941) HM
"For the sake of peace, love, and nothing but that..."
referring to the break with the Asbury Methodist Church of Wilmington,
Reverend Peter Spencer
The August Quarterly, originally known as the Big Quarterly, is the oldest . . . — — Map (db m130484) HM
Salesianum School, a Catholic high school for young men, stood at 8th and West Streets from its founding in 1903 until its move to this location in 1957. The original "House of Sales" was pioneered by Rev. Charles Fromentin, Rev. James Isenring and . . . — — Map (db m13580) HM
In May 1852, this parcel of land was purchased by Bishop (now Saint) John N. Neumann of Philadelphia. From the early 1850s through the late 1870s, this was the primary cemetery for Wilmington’s Catholics. Those buried here represented all walks of . . . — — Map (db m10916) HM
The roots of this congregation can be traced to the efforts of Methodist pioneer Thomas Webb, who visited this area to spread the message of his faith in the years prior to the American Revolution. Influenced by his sincerity and eloquence, a local . . . — — Map (db m128089) HM
On June 23, 1903, George White, a black farm laborer, was lynched near this site by a mob of white citizens. After being accused of murdering a white girl on June 16, Mr. White was taken to the New Castle County Workhouse to await trial. On
June . . . — — Map (db m195011) HM
Built in 1884 to replace an earlier structure, this site originally served as St. John's Methodist Protestant Church. St. John's was part of a larger group of churches that organized and conducted an annual camp meeting along Broad Creek. In 1902, . . . — — Map (db m245049) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m60464) HM
Formerly known as Cannon's Chapel, the first church building was constructed in the early 1870's on East High Street (then known as Concord Road). The Church was incorporated on July 16, 1877. In 1887, the Trustees of the Church purchased land at . . . — — Map (db m244978) HM
Methodism came to this area in the late 18th century when pioneering circuit riders such as Francis Asbury visited local residents to spread the message of their faith. The origin of this congregation can be traced to 1859, when the members of two . . . — — Map (db m38655) HM
A patent for 1200 acres called Attawattacoquin, upon which the house and outbuildings stand, was granted in 1684 by Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore, 2nd Proprietor and 6th and 9th Proprietary Governor of Maryland, to Christopher Nutter, a . . . — — Map (db m193782) HM
For many years local Methodists were forced to
travel a considerable distance to attend services.
In 1873, Houston’s School House was established
as a preaching place within the local circuit.
The success of this effort stimulated interest
. . . — — Map (db m61105) HM
Before the settlement of the boundary dispute between Delaware and Maryland, this area was considered to lie in Maryland. On July 5, 1755, responding to the request of members of the Church of England residing in the upper portion of Worcester . . . — — Map (db m39556) HM
The Rev. Edward Dingle of England settled at Dagsboro, Del. Nov. 11, 1753, also built St. Martin's Church, Worcester Co. MD. 1756 completed 1759. He died 1763 and was buried with his wife under St. Martins pulpit as was the English custom. — — Map (db m190339) HM
On January 31, 1785, Planner Shores sold a one acre lot to the trustees of the local Methodist Society. A part of a tract known as “Pleasant Grove”, the land was located on the border of Delaware and Maryland. The deed stipulated that a preaching . . . — — Map (db m49925) HM
The roots of this church can be traced to the efforts of Reverend Elijah Hitch, a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, who was invited by area residents to hold services in their homes during the spring of 1842. Later meetings . . . — — Map (db m245585) HM
St. Stephen's UMC was formed in 1964 through the merger of Mt. Olive Methodist Protestant and First Methodist Church creating a unified congregation of approximately 800 members. In 1889, Mt. Olive incorporated and a church located at the corner of . . . — — Map (db m245581) HM
A "society" of the African Methodist Episcopal Church was established in this area by the 1830's. The first church was purchased in 1857. On February 28, 1890 land was purchased at this site for the purpose of construction of a new church. Annual . . . — — Map (db m37323) HM
In the 17th century, the colony of Maryland was founded as a refuge for Catholics and members of other religious faiths then subject to persecution. Many of the early settlers of this region, then a part of Maryland, were Presbyterians who had been . . . — — Map (db m122258) HM
In 1819, a group of Methodists purchased a parcel of land north of present-day Frankford. A frame chapel was erected, and on March 4, 1820, the members of the congregation met there to elect trustees and formally organize themselves as Antioch . . . — — Map (db m37256) HM
The roots of this congregation can be traced to the late 1700’s, when Methodist pioneers such as Francis Asbury and Freeborn Garrettson visited this area to propagate the faith. Meetings were held in the open air and in private residences. By 1816 a . . . — — Map (db m38381) HM
The roots of African-American Methodism in this area can be traced to the late 18th century when Methodism pioneers such as Francis Asbury and Freeborn Garrettson traveled locally organizing black “classes” for worship. Over time some groups chose . . . — — Map (db m37844) HM
A Methodist meeting house was erected nearby circa 1803. In December of that year, the lot on which the building stood was conveyed to trustees on the condition that they finish and maintain the structure as a church and school. The building was . . . — — Map (db m49023) HM
