Belltown church to be converted to brewpub

The former Belltown United Methodist Church in Lewes has been scheduled for a makeover.

After being on sale for the better part of three years, the historic church is set to become a restaurant and brewpub.

Harry Metcalf, a partner in startup venture Revelation Brewing Co., said the plan is to convert the church into a seating and waiting area, with plans to build new space for a restaurant, brewing equipment and a bar.

Metcalf said he does not intend to put brewing equipment inside the church building.

Revelation owns the 1.8-acre church property, but plans for the restaurant and brewpub have been delayed because the property had not been surveyed, and problems arose with the deed, Metcalf said. The property is zoned AR-1, he said, so Revelation must obtain a conditional-use permit from Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission before moving forward.

A hearing on the application is set for Thursday, Nov. 12. Planning and zoning will make a recommendation to Sussex County Council, which has the final say on the project.

Metcalf said the company’s intention is to preserve as much of the church as possible.

“We didn’t want to rip it down or destroy it,” he said.

Metcalf said the church property is appealing because the project will revitalize a historic building. He said he also hopes the restaurant will offer an opportunity to educate people about the history of Belltown.

Located on Route 9 just west of Five Points, the Belltown community dates back to the mid-1800s, established by landowner Jacob Bell, a free black man.

By the 1930s, Belltown had its own school and 27 houses. The church building moved to several locations over the years before settling at its current sites in 1946.

The church has been on the market since 2012, when the Methodist Church Lewes Charge put the property up for sale. The 27,000-square-foot property contains the church and a detached shed, with an additional 14,000 square feet of land adjacent to the property on Church Street.

Plans call for a 8,586-square-foot brewpub and restaurant, Metcalf said. He said there is plenty of space for parking both behind and adjacent to the church site. All told, the restaurant and brewpub are expected to seat more than 200 with parking for 90 cars.

Revelation Brewing is a project involving Bryan Keith, chef and co-owner of Mio Fratello restaurant in Fenwick Island, along with Lewes-based businessman Metcalf and other investors.

20-seat tasting room proposed in West Rehoboth

In a separate project, Revelation also plans to open a 20-seat tasting room, where the company will test its brews at what is now a warehouse on Central Avenue in West Rehoboth.

Metcalf said at about 1,500 square feet, the tasting room will be small; he said he has no intention to attract large crowds. Metcalf said the West Rehoboth site would have limited hours and dates of operation.

Revelation has applied for a liquor license for the space with the Delaware Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and must also obtain a conditional use for the property, which requires a recommendation from the planning commission and approval from county council. An application for the tasting room has not been filed.

Residents of West Rehoboth have come out in opposition of the proposed venture, coming on the heels of a gun shop and a possible homeless shelter also being located in the small, predominately African-American community.