Christ Church - Dover, Delaware
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member ddtfamily
N 39° 09.284 W 075° 31.317
18S E 454901 N 4334077
Historic church dating to 1734
Waymark Code: WMMFAM
Location: Delaware, United States
Date Posted: 09/12/2014
Published By:Groundspeak Charter Member BruceS
Views: 2

"9. CHRIST CHURCH (Episcopal), SE. corner of S. State and Water Sts., had its beginnings about 1707, although the church structure was not built until 1734. The main entrance was originally at the center of the south wall.; there was a slave galley, and the floor was brick laid in the ground. The church was unused druing the Revolutionary period, but was restored for services about 1785. The principal entrance was changed, the gallery removed, and the present flooring laid. The original high pews were removed in 1859-60l the tower added in 1876, and further changes made in 1913, so that much of the early character is lost. Treasured possessions of the church are a Bible presented in 1767 by Benjamin Wynkoop, and a silver chalice and paten by his daughter Esther, which bear the date of 1776.

In the front wall of the adjoining cemetery are two bronze tablets, honoring, respectively, Caesar Rodney and Nicholas Ridgely, Delaware patriots."

-Delaware: A Guide to the First State, 1938

This brick church building remains today and continues to hold worship services. The property is one of two locations set aside for houses of worship in Dover's town plan of 1717. Many of the windows and trim on the church building were installed during renovations made in 1859 and 1887.

Several markers at this site pay tribute to Charles Inglis, an Irish minister who was best known as the first bishop of the diocese of Nova Scotia and as rector of Trinity Church in Manhattan, New York. Inglis served as rector of this parish from 1759-1765.

As noted in the guide, a historic cemetery is located behind the church and contains about 900 marked burials. Included is a cenotaph memorializing Declaration of Independence signer Caesar Rodney; contrary to the Nomination Form, Rodney is not actually buried here - the location of his remains is a mystery.


Click a photo to enlarge

Book: Delaware

Page Number(s) of Excerpt: 188

Year Originally Published: 1938

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