Georgetown Presbyterian Church marks 150 years
Founding a new congregation on the eve of the Civil War probably wasn’t the best of timing; however, through the dedication and faith of local ancestors, Georgetown Presbyterian Church came to life and throughout 2009, the church will celebrate that beginning.
On the third Sunday of each month, worship themes will center around an aspect of church history. The third Sunday of the month is Communion Sunday and Fellowship Gathering Sunday and thus is an appropriate time to observe the special events of the past. Many of those celebrations will begin in worship and continue during the fellowship hour.
The anniversary service remembered the very roots of the birth of Georgetown Presbyterian Church. In the first years before the sanctuary was built, the congregation met in public buildings including the “new” Sussex County Courthouse, which was built in 1838. That building remains as the front portion of today’s courthouse, although some remodeling has taken place.
On Jan. 18, the church held its worship service in the Superior Courtroom of the courthouse. Amid the computer terminals and the other electronics, the congregation worshipped and remembered the excitement of forming a new congregation as the clouds of separation and war began to collect over Delaware.
The communion service used the church’s oldest bread plates. Hymns were chosen which reflect the period, and Scripture was read from a Bible of the period. Following the service, the congregation gathered at the historic home of Robert and Battle Robinson, a house known as “The Judges,” which was already standing when the congregation was begun.
Church history at a glance
The roots of Georgetown Presbyterian Church spring from Oct. 15, 1859, when on the eve of the Civil War, seed money was given for a new Presbyterian church in Georgetown. A small group of Christians begin to meet, and through their faith and leadership, the congregation was officially organized Jan. 27, 1860. During the next decade, the congregation struggled for life as its men went off to war, some to the North and some to the South. In 1867, the membership stood at a mere 16. Yet, only five years later in 1871, the congregation began to build its first building. This sanctuary, still in use today, was dedicated Dec. 15, 1872. J. Bailie Adams became the first installed pastor of the congregation in 1893. With his coming, a joint pastoral relationship with Coolspring Presbyterian Church was initiated and continued, with short interruptions, until 2006.
In 1934, the sanctuary building was raised and a basement was dug underneath the building using hand tools and a mule. This provided new space for classes, as well as a space for fellowship activities and a kitchen. In 1954, an educational/office wing was added to the building. Also in 1954, the frame sanctuary received a brick veneer and the worship space was remodeled. In 1999, the congregation built a new Educational Building and Fellowship Hall. The current pastor, the Rev. Michael Williams, has been serving the congregation since 2002.
