Delaware, Sussex County, Portsville
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The roots of local Methodism can be traced to the
late 18th century, when Bishop Francis Asbury and
others visited this area to spread the message of
their faith. By the 1820s there was a growing
movement within the Methodist Episcopal Church to
enact reforms that would result in greater lay
participation in church affairs. Many chose to
leave and join the Methodist Protestant Church,
which was founded in 1830. A local society of
Methodist Protestants was organized at that time,
first meeting in the homes of its members. On
April 30, 1832, James W. Phillips conveyed land
to the “Trustees of the Portsville Academy and Chapel”
to serve as the site for a house of worship and school.
A frame building was erected soon thereafter.
It was located approximately one-half mile west of
here, and was one of the first Methodist Protestant
churches on the Delmarva Peninsula. Some years later,
the desire for a new building arose, and the present
church was constructed on land that was purchased
from Isaac G. and Emeline Phillips in February 1869.
For a time it was known as Mount Lebanon. The church was
incorporated in 1911. It is now affiliated with the
United Methodist denomination.
(Churches, Etc.) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
The roots of local Methodism can be traced to the
late 18th century, when Bishop Francis Asbury and
others visited this area to spread the message of
their faith. By the 1820s there was a growing
movement within the Methodist Episcopal Church to
enact reforms that would result in greater lay
participation in church affairs. Many chose to
leave and join the Methodist Protestant Church,
which was founded in 1830. A local society of
Methodist Protestants was organized at that time,
first meeting in the homes of its members. On
April 30, 1832, James W. Phillips conveyed land
to the “Trustees of the Portsville Academy and Chapel”
to serve as the site for a house of worship and school.
A frame building was erected soon thereafter.
It was located approximately one-half mile west of
here, and was one of the first Methodist Protestant
churches on the Delmarva Peninsula. Some years later,
the desire for a new building arose, and the present
church was constructed on land that was purchased
from Isaac G. and Emeline Phillips in February 1869.
For a time it was known as Mount Lebanon. The church was
incorporated in 1911. It is now affiliated with the
United Methodist denomination.(Churches, Etc.) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.