A Smyrna church built nearly 150 years ago was honored by the Delaware Public Archives on Nov. 12.
Representatives from the Public Archives joined state and county legislators, and church leaders and members, in unveiling a Delaware historical marker at Mount Olive Holiness Pentecostal Church, 139 N. East St., near North Street.
The structure was built in 1876 by members of the Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church and then served as the meeting place for St. John’s Masonic Lodge No. 7 from 1918 to 1935, according to a press release from the Delaware Public Archives.
Since 1935, the building has been the home of the Mount Olive Holiness Pentecostal Church congregation who continues to worship there.
Among those attending the marker ceremony were Mount Olive Pastor Deborah Lewis, Deacon Dorothy Guy, Elder Janet Bratten, Elder Ralph Bradley, state Rep. William J. Carson, Kent County Levy Court Commissioner Joanne Masten and state archivist Stephen Marz, director of the Delaware Public Archives.
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Here is the text on the historical marker:
Built in 1876 by local members of Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church, the first African American congregation to worship in the building, the two-story, three bay frame church with a gabled end would serve as a house of worship until the late 1910s.
In 1918, the building was bought and used by St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 7 until 1935, when it would be purchased by Mount Olive Holiness Pentecostal Church.
Organized in 1930 by Reverend Ancle A. Manns, Mount Olive Holiness congregation has worshiped at this location since 1935.
In 1980, the church was included in the Smyrna Historic District and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
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About the Delaware Historical Marker Program
The Delaware Historical Marker Program began in 1931 when the General Assembly of Delaware passed an act establishing a permanent commission to erect historical markers throughout the state, according to the Delaware Public Archives website.
Since the beginning of the project in the 1930s, the state has installed more than 660 markers. The Delaware Public Archives has administered the program since 1990.
“Community members and the state legislature have always played active roles in the historical markers program,” the website reported. “Today, every new state historical marker is the result of partnerships between the Delaware Public Archives, state legislators and local community members.”
Funding comes from the state, as a result of a direct request to members of the General Assembly from individuals and organizations.
Reach reporter Ben Mace at [email protected].