New marker pays tribute to Sussex historical heritage at Cool Spring

Cool Spring Presbyterian Church was established in 1726 - a time when its location eight miles west of Lewes was considered to be “the frontier.”   A new addition to the nearly 300-year-old property now commemorates its place in Sussex County’s heritage.

Speaking at the Oct. 25 dedication of a new state historical marker at the site, former State Archivist Russ McCabe said Cool Spring Church was established by Scottish and Irish immigrants in search of the religious and economic freedoms available in the New World.  “For three centuries this, in my mind, has been a symbol of the American Dream,” he told the crowd of about two dozen people on hand for the event.

McCabe noted that Delaware is not only considered the cradle of the United Methodist Church, but was also instrumental in the founding of the Presbyterian Church in America.

“I was honored to have had a role in siting this marker so current and future residents of our area can appreciate our community’s unique legacy,” said State Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton.

Smyk joined with State senators Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, and Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, to get the Delaware Public Archives to place the marker along Log Cabin Hill Road.

McCabe thanked the legislators for their work and said the placement was a long time in coming.  “I had a short list of things I wanted to do at the time I retired [as state archivist], and this was on it,” he said.