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.

Marker is on Dogwood Lane, on the right when traveling south.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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