The roots of Methodism in this community can be traced to the organization of a local “society” in the 1770’s. Meetings were held in private homes before a frame structure was built here circa 1786 on land provided by Col. Allan McLane, Revolutionary War hero and early advocate of Methodism. On May 9, 1799, the meeting house and burial ground were formally conveyed to the church trustees for 5 shillings. The Philadelphia Annual Conference was held here on numerous occasions in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Francis Asbury and many other Methodist pioneers were frequent visitors. Services were held here until 1845, when the congregation relocated to a new site.
Installed in 1996.
The Honorable Bruce C. Ennis, Delaware House of Representatives, 1996
126 N. Delaware Street, Smyrna, DE 19977
Related Topics: Colonel Allan Mclane, Francis Ausbury, Historical Markers, Methodism, Old Asbury Methodist Church, Philadelphia Annual Conference, Revolutionary War, Society