Call Number:

MSS 0425

Repository:

University of Delaware Library Special Collections

Extent:

.33 linear foot (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

MSS 0425, Harrison Street Methodist Church papers, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.

Date:

1935-1955 (inclusive)

Creator:

Harrison Street Methodist Church (Wilmington, Del.)

Form:

Church records, Church bulletins, Newsletters, Programs (documents), Directories, Letters (correspondence), Annual reports, Budgets, and Membership lists

Abstract:

The Harrison Street Methodist Church was incorporated in Wilimington, Delaware in 1891, closing in 1978. The papers comprise published Church newsletters (1950-1952), and weekly programs (1941-1954), but also includes church directories, correspondence, annual reports, budgets, programs for various Church services, and lists of church members, officials, and Sunday school students.

The Harrison Street Methodist Church had its beginnings as a Sunday school at the home of Wilmington resident Howard L. George. Named the Franklin Street Methodist Sunday school, it held opening exercises on October 5, 1890. The first regular session was held on October 12, 1890, with Mr. George presiding as superintendent and with fifty-six students attending.

The popularity of the school led to discussion of the possibility of founding a church. The community consulted Rev. Louis E. Barrett, the Pastor of nearby St. Paul's Methodist Church, to assist them in this undertaking. After discussing various names, they settled on Harrison Street Methodist.

The Harrison Street Methodist Church was officially organized and incorporated under Delaware law on March 25, 1891. The original congregation numbered twenty-five. On April 21, 1891, these members purchased a lot on which to erect their church on the corner of Harrison and Seventh Streets. On May 21, 1891, a temporary frame chapel was erected and dedicated. The following Sunday, the school met for the first time in their new location. In the fall of 1891, the church was plastered, prepared for winter, and became the first church in the city of Wilmington to have electric lights.

Over the course of many years, membership to this church community continued to grow. It became apparent that a larger, more permanent church building was needed. Construction of the new church on the original lot began on July 17, 1893. After 1907, additional rooms were added to the building to accommodate the Church's numerous programs, which included various levels of Sunday school teaching, adult Bible classes, a preschool, and an infant care program.

The pastors who served Harrison Street Methodist included Dr. F.B. Short (1892-1896), Rev. R.T. Coursey (1897-1899), Dr. C.T. Wyatt (1905-1910), Rev. W.T. Habbart (1919-1924), Rev. E. M. Shockley (before 1941-1943), Rev. C.M. Harris (1944-1948), and Rev. Milton H. Keene (1949?-1951 or later).

The church closed in 1978.

The Harrison Street Methodist Church Papers span the years 1935 to 1953, although most of the materials pertain to the 1940s and early 1950s. The collection mainly comprises published Church newsletters (1950-1952), and weekly programs (1941-1954), but also includes church directories, correspondence, annual reports, budgets, programs for various Church services, and lists of church members, officials, and Sunday school students. Although this collection offers an incomplete record of the Church's history, it provides a valuable look into the programs and activities of this historic Church during the mid-twentieth century.