Old Christ Church (Laurel, Delaware)
Encyclopedia
Old Christ Church, also known as Old Lightwood, is a historic church near Laurel, Delaware
. The 1772 church resembles its parent church, Green Hill Church
of Stepney Parish in Green Hill, Maryland, except that while Stepney was built in brick, Christ Church is of wood construction. Its weathered, never-painted appearance has given rise to the name "Old Lightwood."
The church was built by Robert Houston in 1772 and given by him to Stepney Parish. Originally called Broad Creek Chapel, Christ Church was termed a "chapel of ease" for the northern part of the large Stepney Parish of the Church of England
. At the time of the church's construction the area was claimed by the colony of Maryland
. After clarification of the boundary via the Mason-Dixon Line
, four Delaware governors have been members: Nathaniel Mitchell
, who is buried there, William B. Cooper
, William H. H. Ross, and Elbert N. Carvel
.
The 40 feet (12.2 m) by 60 feet (18.3 m) church is located at the edge of Chipman's Millpond. On both the interior and exterior, only the window sashes are painted. On the interior the pulpit stands on the middle of the north wall, with an altar at the east end. A slave gallery remains at the west end, reached by stairs. Pews are high, with doors to each family section. The ceiling is a flattened barrel vault.
Laurel, Delaware
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,668 people, 1,389 households, and 957 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,215.9 people per square mile . There were 1,561 housing units at an average density of 943.0 per square mile...
. The 1772 church resembles its parent church, Green Hill Church
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church (Quantico, Maryland)
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, also known as Green Hill Church, is a historic Episcopal church located at Quantico, Wicomico County, Maryland. It is a single-story, Flemish bond gable-front brick church built in 1733. Adjacent to the church are several marked burials with 18th and 19th century...
of Stepney Parish in Green Hill, Maryland, except that while Stepney was built in brick, Christ Church is of wood construction. Its weathered, never-painted appearance has given rise to the name "Old Lightwood."
The church was built by Robert Houston in 1772 and given by him to Stepney Parish. Originally called Broad Creek Chapel, Christ Church was termed a "chapel of ease" for the northern part of the large Stepney Parish of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
. At the time of the church's construction the area was claimed by the colony of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. After clarification of the boundary via the Mason-Dixon Line
Mason-Dixon line
The Mason–Dixon Line was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the resolution of a border dispute between British colonies in Colonial America. It forms a demarcation line among four U.S. states, forming part of the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and...
, four Delaware governors have been members: Nathaniel Mitchell
Nathaniel Mitchell
Nathaniel Mitchell was an American lawyer and politician from Laurel, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, a Continental Congressman from Delaware, and a member of the Federalist Party, who served as Governor of Delaware.-Early life...
, who is buried there, William B. Cooper
William B. Cooper
William Barkley Cooper was an American farmer and politician from Laurel, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, then later the Whig Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.-Early life and family:Cooper was born in Laurel,...
, William H. H. Ross, and Elbert N. Carvel
Elbert N. Carvel
Elbert Nostrand "Bert" Carvel was an American businessman and politician from Laurel, in Sussex County, Delaware...
.
The 40 feet (12.2 m) by 60 feet (18.3 m) church is located at the edge of Chipman's Millpond. On both the interior and exterior, only the window sashes are painted. On the interior the pulpit stands on the middle of the north wall, with an altar at the east end. A slave gallery remains at the west end, reached by stairs. Pews are high, with doors to each family section. The ceiling is a flattened barrel vault.
See also
- Chipman's MillChipman's MillChipman's Mill is located near Laurel, Delaware. Composed of two structures, the older is original to the site. The one story mill, built by Joseph Chipman in 1884, is situated over the millrace and contains turbines and millstones. The wooden superstructure featured mortise and tenon joinery...
, across the pond from the church - National Register of Historic Places listings in Sussex County, Delaware