St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Georgetown, Delaware) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church
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St. Paul's Church
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 Location in Delaware
Location in the United States
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| Location | 122 East Pine Street Georgetown, Delaware |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1844, 1880 |
| Architect | Charles McKim |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000649 |
| Added to NRHP | November 13, 1979 |
St. Paul's Episcopal Church is a very old church located in Georgetown, Delaware. It is a special place with a long history. The church building you see today was finished in 1844. It was later updated in 1881 by famous architects from New York City.
This church is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site in the United States. Many important people from the area are buried in the churchyard.
Contents
A Look Back: Church History
The church community, or congregation, started on June 21, 1794. This was soon after the American Revolutionary War ended. At that time, the Anglican Church in the United States changed its name to the Episcopal Church.
Early Days and First Buildings
The group first bought some land for a church. However, they never used it and sold it later. For a while, church services were held in the local courthouse. In 1804, the congregation bought the land where the church stands today. They then built a wooden church building over the next 20 years.
In 1805, the government of Delaware allowed the church to raise money. They could raise $1500 by holding a lottery to help build the church. This was a common way for new churches to get money back then. The wooden church was built, and it was dedicated on January 25, 1806. It was not fully finished yet, though.
Later, in 1827, another lottery was planned. This one was to raise money for an academy, a Masonic Hall, and to finish St. Paul's Church. However, this lottery never happened.
Building the Brick Church
In 1843, the old wooden church was moved away. Workers then started building a new church made of brick. This new building was finished in 1844. It was officially opened and blessed on November 19 of that same year.
By 1881, after almost 40 years, the church needed some repairs. It was renovated and updated in a style called Victorian Gothic. This work was done by a famous architectural company called McKim, Mead, and White. They were known for designing many important churches across the country. The church still looks this way today.
New Additions and Updates
In 1885, a new leader, Reverend James C. Kerr, arrived. He helped install the church's first pipe organ. The next year, a Sunday School was started. A building for the Sunday School had been built in the 1870s.
Finally, in 1897, the church complex was completed. A two-story house for the church's leader, called a rectory, was built next door. Reverend John Warnock was the first leader to live in this new house.
In 1930, a U.S. Senator named Willard Saulsbury, Jr. gave money to the church. This money was used to create a beautiful stained-glass window for the altar. This window is called "The Te Deum Window." It shows the beliefs of the church, based on an old hymn or song called "The Te Deum." The window was designed by James H. Hogan in London. It was officially dedicated on February 9, 1930.
Recognition and Rebuilding
The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This recognized its importance in history. In 1987, a fire damaged some parts of the church. The fire destroyed the parish hall, Sunday School rooms, and a preparation room called the sacristy. However, the main worship area, called the sanctuary and nave, was not damaged. These damaged parts were rebuilt in 1990.
Important People Buried Here
Many important people are buried in the churchyard of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Here are a few:
- Caleb R. Layton: He was a doctor and served as a U.S. Representative.
- Daniel J. Layton: He was a lawyer and served as the Attorney General of Delaware. He also became the Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court.
