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Mount Joy United Methodist Church The History of Mt. Joy United Methodist Church 451 Townsend Street Wilmington, DE 19801 (302) 655-7751 In 1767, a British Army Captain by the name of Thomas Webb, who was stationed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was invited to preach to forty-three people. This group was composed of both blacks and whites. The service was held under a tree at the corner of Eighth and King Streets in Wilmington, Delaware. This group continued its meetings and in 1789, organized the Old Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1889 Old Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church celebrated its centennial anniversary. During this one hundred years the membership had grown to nearly nine hundred. The church had also given birth to sixteen daughter churches. Mt. Joy is one of those daughter churches. Brother and Mrs. Francis Byrd had a deep Christian concern for the people of "Turkeytown" (South Wilmington/Southbridge). They went from house to house encouraging interest in organizing a Sunday School. Brothers Solomon T. Bantum and Charles H. Smith joined the Byrds in this effort. Having little knowledge of their undertaking, they invited Abraham Murry from Ezion Methodist Episcopal Church to render them assistance. He gladly came to their aid and in 1875 five children were brought together in a house on Buttonwood Street. Brother William Blake was selected the first superintendent. In the meantime, Brothers Byrd and Smith joined Ezion and both became exhorters. Brother Bantum became a local preacher in Ezion. The Sunday School Group increased in size to the point where the house could no longer hold them. This situation of overcrowding was brought to the attention of Rev. Hooper Jolley, Pastor of Ezion. He then lead an effort to purchase a lot and erect a small Chapel. A lot was purchased on the corner of "A" Street. Though there were many difficulties a Chapel was erected and dedicated in August of 1873. It was named Whittington Methodist Episcopal Church in honor of Rev. Joseph Whittington a former Pastor of Ezion Methodist Church. This Chapel was destroyed by fire on February of 1875. A house was then rented so that worship services could continue. Rev. Solomon Cooper led the building of a new Chapel on the old lot. In the Summer of that year this new Chapel was dedicated by Rev. Lewis Y. Cox assisted by Rev. Perry Walker. In this new Chapel, the public school of South Wilmington was organized under the leadership of Brother Girard Rollins, as a member of Whittington Church. The school used the Chapel for nearly a year and the enrollment increased to 103 pupils. Miss Emilie M. Dorster became Principal of the school, at this time, and remained for nine years. In the Annual Conference of 1876 Rev. Whittington became pastor and was linked with Browntown Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Holland, who organized the first choir, became Pastor and served for one year. In September of that year the Chapel received severe damage from a flood. This prevented the congregation from holding services for several weeks. From 1877-1883 four pastors served the chapel and many things were accomplished. Some of these Pastors were: Rev. Harrison Webb, 1881-1882 and Rev. J.J. Campbell, 1883. During this time the first organ was purchased. On July 17, 1882 the Ezion Trustees, who had handled the business until this time, elected and turned the business over to the Chapel's Trustees. In 1883 they purchased a lot on the East side of Townsend Street. In 1884 Rev. F. Butler was appointed Pastor, but only served for a short period of time due to illness. Whittington Church was then changed to a station charge and Rev. Hezikiah Grinnage was sent to complete the year. Rev. Andrew J. Wallace became Pastor in 1885 and Rev. Charles A. Tindley in 1887. Rev. Tindley, however served only one Sunday. The same was true for Rev. William Hilton who was appointed afterwards. Rev. William J. Hudson was appointed to supply and became the third pastor appointed to Whittington in three months. The going was difficult until Whittington Church was made part of the circuit with New Castle. In 1888 Rev. J. A. Richardson was appointed. He advised the congregation to exchange the Eastside lot for the present location on the West side of Townsend Street. The deal cost $600.00. A brick house was bought next door for $700.00, which became the parsonage. Rev. Richardson was reappointed to Whittington Church in 1889, and it was changed back to a station charge. The Pastor and congregation began building a brick church on the lot at a cost of $6000.00. Brother Lean Collins broke ground on April 29, 1889 and the cornerstone was laid Sunday June 23, 1889 by Rev. Harvey W. Ewing, assisted by Rev. J. R. Waters and Rev. J. A. Richardson. The Joy that filled the hearts of the people that day moved them to change the name of the Church to Mt. Joy. Since that time Mt. Joy has been known as the "Singing Church." When Whittington became Mt. Joy, the membership was 85 and the Sunday School membership stood at 145. Brother L. H. Bantum was the Sunday School Superintendent. For the next few years the congregation spent time furnishing the church and having joyous worship services. Rev. D. H. Harris was appointed in 1911 and served until 1913. From 1914 until 1939 the church was served by several distinguished Pastors. They were: Rev. W. E. Waters, 1914; Rev. J. W. Jerrett, 1926-1927; Rev. Sidney Emptage, 1930-1931; Rev. L. H. McArthur, 1932-1934; and Rev. R. B. Thompson, 1935-1939. Rev. Thompson was especially remembered for teaching the congregation group music. Rev. J. H. Russum became Pastor in 1940 and served until 1944. During this time several members were added to the congregation. Rev. G. E. Geddis was Pastor from 1945 until 1947. During this time several improvements were made to the Church. In 1948 Rev. J. U. Watson became Pastor. During his pastorate there were many improvement both to the Church and the parsonage as well as many other accomplishments. In 1954 Rev. Watson became ill and Rev. W. H. Johns was called in to help him close the year. Rev. R. C. Hughes became pastor in 1955 and remained until 1959. During these years further renovations were made to the physical plant. In 1959 Rev. Hughes was involved in an accident and became quite ill. In 1960 Rev. Augustus Chancy was appointed to Mt. Joy and remained there until 1970 when he retired. During Rev. Chancy's pastorate many improvements were made. These improvements included: the addition of many new members, major repairs to the parsonage, addition of the communion rail, conversion of the organ, remodeled the ceiling, and consistently increased the financial reports. In 1966 the Black Delaware Conference merged with the White Peninsula Conference. As a result of the merger many new demands were made of Mt. Joy, which it continues to answer. In 1968 the parsonage at 625 South Heald Street, was purchased. Several repairs and additions were made. Rev. Chancy retired on May 28, 1970 at the Annual Conference held at Grace United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Delaware. At the 1970 Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference Mt. Joy was again put on a circuit with the Buttonwood United Methodist Church. Rev. Richard Hicks was assigned to these churches. Under Rev. Hicks Leadership a Breakfast Program was started with the help of the Methodist action Program, William Robinson, and community concerned persons. A grant was made to renovate the old parsonage. A Black community developer was hired and served for about three months. During the year Rev. Hicks was appointed Associate Director of Ministry for Blacks in Higher Education, based in Atlanta, Georgia. He continued to serve Mt. Joy and Buttonwood until the next session of the Annual conference. Rev. Hicks was instrumental in introducing Rev. Jesse Walker to the Peninsula Conference and to Mt. Joy Church. In 1971 Rev. Jesse Henry Walker was assigned the Pastor of the Mt. Joy-Buttonwood charge. Rev. Walker lead a Church and community based group that set out to rebuild Mt. Joy Church so that it may better serve the community. These activities spurred development in all of the South Wilmington Community. Through his efforts Rev. Walker brought together, business entities, governmental agencies, and community groups to address the community development need of South Wilmington. These efforts yielded hundreds of thousands of dollars to help revitalize South Wilmington. Mt. Joy United Methodist Church and Rev. Walker with the help of the City of Wilmington, State Senator Herman Holloway Sr., Representative Henrietta Johnson and City Councilman James Baker have brought a new hope to the people of South Wilmington. Many special people with diversified gifts have shared the pulpit in Mt. Joy; Rev. Paul R. Hilton, Rev. Donald Hamilton, Rev. Janet Harmon, Rev. George Commodore, Rev. Lorenzo Murdaugh. Our current Pastor, appointed in 1997 is Rev. Derrick E. Porter. His focus has been about showing love and concern for one another not only in our church, but also in our community. He is preparing us for the many new challenges that come with change and growth. Source for The History of Mt. Joy Church: 2000 Church pictorial Directory The 100th Anniversary Booklet 1973
completed with the help of the following participants. Mr. Harry Evans 10-24-01 80s Ms. Ethel Davis 10-24-01 80s
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