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Wesley United
41 Justice Way
Phone / Fax e-mail
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Wesley Chapel History Wesley Chapel has been a place of worship on Elk Neck for nearly 175 years. The cornerstone of the chapel building was laid by Rev. William Ryder in 1830 to house the services of a congregation that had been in existence for 33 years, since 1797. Wesley Chapel is very likely one of the oldest rural chapels still in use in the Delaware and Chesapeake Bay areas. Many of the floor beams and clapboards are original building materials.
Interested members of the Wesley congregation are exploring the possibility of attaining the designation of "Conference Historic Site" for Wesley Chapel. In 2005 we celebrated the 175th anniversary of this important building and cemetery.
For a more detailed history of the chapel, click here.
Wesley Church History - Present Location
Wesley Church, the building, was originally an old Army chapel located at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Several of the Wesley Chapel members were employed at the Proving Ground and found that the building would be demolished . . . instead, it was dismantled and moved to its location in 1982, on the corner of Justice Way and Old Chestnut Road in the midst of the Elk Neck communities. The first service was held on October 31, 1982.
The church was reconstructed on this site by its members, many of whom stored pieces of the church in their yards until they were ready to be put back together. This history creates a strong tie between the church and its members. Just ask anyone who was a member 20 years ago and they will beam with pride as they re-tell the story of Wesley Church. In 2007, we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the church at its present location.
The church membership has grown and changed over the years, but the heart and soul of Wesley Church remains.
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