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It was more than 280 years ago that Pastor James Martin, a minister from Ireland, first established Coolspring Presbyterian Church.
Even though the historic house of worship has been rebuilt and renovated several times since he manned the pulpit, Martin would most likely still recognize it today.
In fact, the present chapel nestled in the woods off Route 9 between Lewes and Georgetown still has no indoor plumbing, only a small outhouse located just next to the church.
While the congregation has always strived to keep the church’s history alive, the need to further reach out through missions has merited the creation of Coolspring Presbyterian Community Hall.
The newest addition to the church was celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony Sept. 28, as the congregation met at the future site of the building, located just behind the Coolspring chapel.
Presiding over the ceremony, Pastor Linda Williams and former head Pastor Mike Williams told more than 55 in attendance of their plans for the new building.
The $500,000 project is the product of five years of planning and is set for completion sometime in the spring or summer months of next year, they said. The center will be a complete, modern facility housing expanded church operations and will be open to the public.
“The community hall will provide us with the necessary facilities that we have lacked in the past, as well as supply classrooms for adults and children, office space and a modest fellowship hall,” said Linda Williams.
The multi-functioning building will increase worship, service and learning opportunities for both the congregation and the community, she added.
The large meeting room in the center of the new building will seat 150 people while housing an adjacent kitchen serving area. Classrooms and a separate nursery area for infants will also be available.
“The hall will provide many outreach opportunities,” said Mike Williams. Everything from wedding receptions to after-school programs will be accommodated there, he said, noting the site offers a prime location for many community groups to gather.
Although several operations of the church will soon move to the new center, weekend services will continue in their historic sanctuary.
The Coolspring congregation has always embraced its past, said Williams, and the new community hall will add to the positive relationship with the people of Sussex County.
“I think this new center will significantly benefit the Coolspring community,” said Rep. Joe Booth, R-Georgetown, who was present at the ceremony.
Along with Sen. Gary Simpson, R-Milford, he recalled that the church has always been a landmark in the Cape Region, and he hopes it will continue to act as a beacon of faith and generosity.
Holding ceremonial golden shovels, Booth and Simpson, along with members of the congregation, ended the celebration by breaking ground on the new project.
Pastor Williams said with the energy and enthusiasm the church is home to today, its newest addition is sure to be a center of divine inspiration for decades to come.
“Two-hundred-eighty-one years of quiet strength and faithfulness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ are the backbone and heritage of Coolspring Church,” said Williams. “With the help of the Holy Spirit, we look forward to new opportunities of ministry.”
For more information on Coolspring Presbyterian Church and the new Community hall contact Pastor Williams at 344-6217. The church is on Josephs Road., off of Route 9.
282nd Homecoming anniversary celebration set Oct. 19
The 282nd Homecoming anniversary of Coolspring Presbyterian Church will be celebrated at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 19. The Rev. Edee Fenimore, former interim pastor of Coolspring Church, will address the congregation.
Special music will include Dan Tabler playing the autoharp and singing gospel favorites. The Coolspring Choir will also provide a special anthem for the service.
The Coolspring Sanctuary, built in 1854, is located between Georgetown and Lewes just off Route 9 at Josephs Road. The Coolspring congregation has been gathering on the site since at least 1726, with the cemetery dating back to 1740. The congregation recently separated from a yoked relationship with Georgetown Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Michael Williams as pastor. It now has its own Commissioned Lay Pastor Linda Williams, who is the first CLP in New Castle Presbytery.
The congregation just broke ground to begin construction of a new community building that will accommodate Sunday School classrooms and a fellowship hall as well as space for various outreach activities.
The Coolspring members invite the community to be part of their celebration and remain after the service to enjoy refreshments and fellowship.
Regular worship services are held at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday.
For additional information, call Linda Williams at 302-344-6217.
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