History of Ebenezer Church

Laying the Foundation:

Our church was first named "Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church." Meetings were held in private homes led by Methodist missionaries. The church's historical record recalls, "They inspired others by pouring out their hearts to God. These men were on fire for God and under the leadership of Alexander Guthrie." These missionaries established our Methodist church in an area known as Pleasant Hill. (Descendants of Alexander Gutherie - Paul, Mark, and Betty Ayars - are still members of Ebenezer.)

In 1824 the first Ebenezer was built out of stone and had a gallery. The church measures 28' x 24'. Circuit-riding pastors preached on every fourth Sunday but the members held prayer meetings, class meetings, and Sunday school lessons weekly. In 1855 the Methodist Conference met in Wilmington and the Bishop wanted to close Ebenezer because there were only six members. The Bishop, persuaded by Joseph Guthrie (Alexander Guthrie's son), decided to keep the church open if the members could raise $25. Rev. B.F. Price was pastor but had to leave because of his health and the church struggled for several years. For 35 years, the stone building was Ebenezer's home. The church grew to 60 members and the pastors were supplied from the Newark, Christiana, and Hockessin circuits.

On March 29, 1858, a new pastor arrived from the Philadelphia Conference, the Rev. James Brindle. Revivals were held with capacity crowds in attendance until the floor of the church gave way and the building was pronounced unsafe. A new building had to be built. In 1859, a one-story frame building measuring 35' x 50' was built at a cost of $2500. Stones from the old church were used as the foundation for the new one.

In 1887, the Harvest Home was started by the Good Templars Lodge and was to be a temperance rally. However, this became more of a family outing with speakers and singing and more emphasis on fun and the family than on temperance. Festivities included serving lunch and supper, a baseball game in the afternoon and a special program in the evening. The Harvest Home became one of the most important events of the year for the church.

In 1897, during the ministry of Rev. W.T. Hammond, Ebenezer was made a separate appointment by the Conference, and a parsonage was built at a cost of $1200.

Building upon the Foundation

In the last section on Ebenezer;s history, we ended in 1897. The historical record of the church skips from 1897 to 1923. Sixteen ministers served Ebenezer during this time.

Rev. G.T. Gehman was transferred to Ebenezer in September 1923 and immediately saw the need for improvements in the church building. Extensive work included new carpet, "re-decoration" of the walls, new pews, pulpit furniture, choir chairs, curtains, hymn number boards and light fixtures. The old windows were replaced with new memorial windows and the basement was remodeled for classrooms and a new kitchen. The 100th anniversary was held on July 6, 1924. Money for the improvements came from the contributions for the anniversary, which totaled $5,334.15. New hymnals were purchased in 1928 and the official board voted to connect the church with the new electric line for $245.

The parsonage received a face-lift in the spring of 1927. Wallpaper, paint, new rugs and electric fixtures were installed. Later in 1928 the sheds and old barn were removed and a new garage was built. Further renovations were made during 1929-1930, making the living room larger by taking two smaller rooms. A dining room suite was also purchased.

Rev. Oliver J. Collins became minister in May 1928. During his tenure, he developed a Young People's Organization and they took a very active role in strengthening Ebenezer. In 1930 Sidney B. Bradley was appointed pastor. A new reed organ was installed and additional improvements were made to the parsonage and sanctuary during Bradley's appointment

Daily Vacation Bible School was organized during the leadership of Rev. T.O.M. Wills who became pastor in April 1932. The Bible school was very successful due to Mrs. Wills' musical and dramatic talent. She inspired younger and older members alike. She directed many religious pageants and wrote and directed the pageant, "Ebenezer Through the Years." Mrs. Wills worked tirelessly researching the history of Ebenezer for her pageant. In November 1938, Rev. Wills withdrew from the Delaware conference and joined the fellowship of Springfield, Illinois.

From 1938 to 1941, L.V. Pratt was minister. The Woman's Society of Christian Service was formed in 1939. The Ebenezer Young People's Society was famous for its plays in the 1930's.

The following are highlights that took place during the next ten years at Ebenezer:

¨ 1941 -- George W. Goodley, Jr. was minister from 1941-42. This was during World War II, a trying time for the church. The Women's Society held prayer services for those in the Armed Forces.
¨ 1942 - - Rev. Goodley left Ebenezer and entered the Chaplaincy of the armed forces on April 17, 1942. (He returned to Ebenezer on July 1, 1977 as Minister of Visitation and Pastor Emeritus until his death in 1999.) Ebenezer officers and members rededicated themselves to the work of the church. Special emphasis was placed upon individual responsibility in the affairs of the church. Under the tutelage of music director Julia Jackson, Dorothy Hollingsworth (Hitchens) became Ebenezer's organist a position she would fill for 52 years.
¨ 1944 - - The Woman's Society of Christian Service was revived and the Young People's Society changed its name to Methodist Young Adult Fellowship. March 5 was "Improvements Day" and the sanctuary, exterior of the church and the parsonage were painted. Three members of Ebenezer were killed in the war: Sgt. Harold Kirk, Private James R. Wilson, and Private Herbert Knotts. Each had a star placed on our Service Flag. Harvest Home Sunday was held on September 20 and with an offering of $575. Lindsay Greenplate was Sunday School Superintendent and under his leadership an attendance objective was set for 100 people. Fifteen teachers joined. WSCS had 62 members. Also during 1944 repairs were made to the parsonage at a cost of $239. Evening services were held every other week with good attendance and 100 new songbooks were purchased for use during these services. At the 120th anniversary the offering taken in was approximately $200. Crusade for Christ offerings and/or pledges amounted to $1,093.
¨ 1945 - Ebenezer began a Crusade for Evangelism and set a goal of 35 new member for the conference year. Sunday school attendance increased to an average of 75. Homecoming Day was held on Oct. 7 and the church was filled to capacity at both services. The Crusaders Class became a part of the Methodist Youth Fellowship. The Women's Bible Class, Dorcas Champion Class and Helping Hand Class helped toward increasing church school enrollment.
¨ 1946 - A new Wicks Pipe Organ was purchased for #3600, which included the pipes bought from Kingswood Church. Youth and young adult groups of the church were reorganized and the Junior MYF and MYF were started. The men of the church hled a banquet on March 1 for the veterans and service men that were members of the church. A new tank and piping system for the church heaters were installed. The choir purchased 19 new gowns and collars at cost of $173. The choir paid $123 and $50 came out of the church treasury.
¨ 1947 - The Trustees reorganized and voted on a system of retiring three of their members each year. By February 9, the only indebtedness for Ebenezer was $150 for the church organ. Special services were held during the year to help build church interest and loyalty and in some cases helped the church financially. Rural Life Sunday was held on May 25 with members of White Oak and Corner Ketch 4-H Clubs conducting the services. Harvest Home Sunday was held on September 21. The MYF sponsored the movie "The Kings of Kings" and the church was filled.
¨ 1948 - The conference Endowment Fund Day was held on February 15 with quest speaker Rev. Lester Windsor, conference treasurer. The offering was $106 toward a goal of $275. WSCS, Ebenezer Fellowship and the MYF donated money toward the purchase of chairs for the church. The special services for the year, Harvest Home and Homecoming, were well attended in this 124th year of Ebenezer. Lester Loder, pastor, felt Ebenezer had progresses along the lines of spiritual growth and development.
¨ 1949 - - The 125th anniversary of Ebenezer and the first year of the great "Methodist Adavance for Christ and His Church." Reve. Lester Loder wrote, "Proud of our heritage, grateful for it, but dedicated to making our inheritance the foundation upon which we shall build for today and tomorrow, workers together with Him" The MYF sold birthday calendars to members and friends and collected $46. Memorial plates with the picture of the church were also sold.




HARVEST HOME

Ebenezer's Heritage
"All your words shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations." Psalms 145: 10-13

Ebenezer continued to grow in 1950 as the Lord's faithful "had grown spiritually and …were…increasing awareness in growing responsibilities in spiritual life." Sunday school and MYF attendance had grown and missionary work became an important focus with the children's Sunday school.

Several events were sponsored by the MYF: New Year's Eve Watch night, Easter Sunrise Service, Methodist Camp Fund. A wire recorder was purchased for the shut-ins to take weekly church services to their homes. A successful Vacation Bible School was held with 50 children's Sunday school.

A new organization was formed at Ebenezer called the Ebenezer Fellowship. His group was made up of those young people who had graduated from MYF. In addition to the purpose of fellowship, this group took on projects that were beneficial financially and spiritually to the church. They removed old trees from in front of the church and replaced them with yews for $21. They also raised money with bake sales and selling vanilla.

The official board installed a Holland furnace costing about $1700.

In 1951 outside speakers were brought in and special WSCS services were held which greatly increased interest in mission work. A parent-teachers meeting was held by the church Board of Education to acquaint parents with the church school programs and to suggest ways of getting parents and teachers to carry out the lessons of the various classes. Vacation Bible School attendance was 55.

Attendance in worship services was growing steadily in 1942 and additional people were added to the church school staff. The finance committee set up a budget that helped the financial "askings" in the church and on the conference level.

Several improvements to the church and parsonage were completed. The parsonage heating system was converted from coal to oil and a new roof was put on the church. The men of the church doing the work kept the cost to a minimum. The improvement debt was $1100. Other improvements to the church were painting and new curtains for the stage and windows. Main support beams that had been eaten by termites were replaced under the sanctuary. The parsonage got a face-lift with new wallpaper and an "automatic spin-drying washer." The church school added a nursery class.

Events from 1952 included the Ebenezer Jubilee, MTF banquet with Senator J. Allen Frear as guest speaker, a three-act play "A Ready Made Family," a Truth or Consequences show sponsored by the MYF, the WSCS held a missionary worship service with Mess Marian Carliss speaking on Japan and a clothing drive for Korea.

In 1953 Ebenezer had made advances toward greater community service. An every member canvas had been made for the first time and church loyalty Sunday was stressed. The church school added a new class in the Intermediate Department. The junior choir was organized and the children's division sent $24 to the Methodist mission in Borneo.

The church laymen undertook several repairs to the church and garage. They also cleared the land that was purchased (formerly the Frank Whiteman property). The addition of this land made it possible for expansion of the church and church school.

Several special events were held: minister's tea and reception, pie social, Jubilee in the summer, chicken and oyster supper, Halloween parties for the youth choir and MYF, and a play presented by the MYF called "Here Comes Charlie." Suppers were served to the Evangelical group and the ladies of Ebenezer served a ministerial luncheon to the district ministers.

Beginning in May 1954 Ebenezer was first able to have a full-time minister, Rev. Edwin J. Horney, who had been part-time pastor since 1949. The Membership and Evangelism Commission began visitation of the church members. To promote church attendance there was a crusade during Lent, and Loyalty Sunday was observed.

Still under the direction of Rev. Horney in 1955, Ebenezer continued its community service. Special events of the WSCS included visitation of shut-ins at the Emily Bissell Sanitarium, a pie social, and attending the World Day of Prayer with the United Church Women of Newark. The laymen of the church laid a new hardwood floor in the church and nylon carpet was put down the aisles and at the pulpit. A concrete walk was poured from the church to the new parking lot. The laymen also landscaped around the church.

A new pastor came on board in 1956, Rev. Willard Robinson (who was the speaker during the church services for the 175th anniversary). Vacation Bible School ran for two weeks in June with the attendance of 78 (including eight teachers). A mission study course was conducted on the subject of Southeast Asia. Two boxes containing hospital gowns and bandages were sent to Napal.

The Methodist Men's Group was formed and the charter issued on May 14, 1956.

The church was insulated and an electric typewriter was purchased for the church office. The Ebenezer kindergarten Association completed its first year. The church reached its budget for the year and was able to pay $1,000 on the church mortgage.

Attendance continued to grow in 1957 and an average of $200 in offering was taken in during each church service. The Commission of Finance kept members informed by the sending out letters with the proposed budget and explaining the financial system. Several improvements were made to the church to make more space for the Sunday school classes and a church office. A steam table for the kitchen was purchased.

In 1958 there was much emphasis on the teaching ministry with continued visitations by the Commission on Membership and Evangelism. Vacation Bible School had an attendance of 79, including teachers.

The Commission on Finance worked well under the leadership of Melvin Dempsey. A Building Study Committee was formed to help look toward the church's future growth. A new floor was laid in the downstairs of the church. A new Hamilton piano was purchased for the church and a new mimeograph machine was purchased for the church office.

The music program in 1959 was quite strong under the direction of Mrs. W. Floyd Jackson. Church services were well attended. Financially, the church was in better shape in 1959 than the previous year due to a $9000 gift from Mr. & Mrs. Howard Thomas Walmsley. This donation allowed the church to pay off the mortgage on the church house and put $4200 in the building fund. Due to the population explosion of the area, Ebenezer was beginning to feel the need for expansion.

Ebenezer committees and groups were quite busy in 1960. WSCS events included the annual pie social, reception for ministers, covered dish suppers, an auction sale and Mrs. W.R. Davis spoke on city missions. The Commission of Education formed a junior MYF. The Building Committee was elected at the fourth quarterly conference. The following members were chosen: Mr. Daniel Nelson, Sr.; Mr. Richard Burke; Mr. Alexander Botluck; Mrs. Lindsay Greenplate; Mrs. Ferris Dempsey; Mrs. Alexander Jarrell; Mr. Ralph Endriss; Mr. Ralph Whiteman; Mr. Paul Nelson; Mrs. Kinsey Whiteman; Mr. Robert Major; Mr. Darrel Neidigh; Mr. Leonard Nelson, Sr., Buidling Fund Treasurer; Bobby Woodworth, MYF president; and Rev. Willard Robinson, pastor.

The Building Committee recommended building additional church school space as soon as possible and making future plans for a new sanctuary. During the pastoral tenure of Rev. Charles Davis, the Education Building (cost $110,000) was consecrated in 1964.

The new sanctuary construction began on August 17, 1975 and was completed in 13 months. The sanctuary seats 290 people and an additional 80 people can be seated in the Narthex if needed. Built at the same time were a new Fellowship Hall and kitchen, located under the sanctuary and Narthex. The congregation gave $150,000 toward construction and took on a $320,000 mortgage. Consecration of the new sanctuary was held on September12, 1976. Ebenezer's pastor, Rev. Robert Helms, and District Superintendent Rev. Edwin S. Thomas led the services. They began in the old church sanctuary and then led a processional to the new one. More than 500 people attended the consecration services.

Continued growth spurred further new construction. Again, the people of the church (young and old) contributed much labor, and in 1993, under leadership of the Rev. Robert Starrett, the Christian Life Center was opened. This enabled the church staff and lay leadership to enhance such programs as Sunday school, music, pre-school, children, youth and adult ministries, and community outreach. It was also under the leadership of Rev. Starrett that Ebenezer hired a full-time Youth Leader and a full-time Director of Music.

Due to the cost of upkeep, the Trustees made a decision to tear down the old church. In the summer of 1998, the church was dismantled. The stained-glass windows were take out for future use (rededicated on Anniversary Sunday, Oct. 24, 1999) and items from the church building were sold. An expansion of the current parking lot replaced the church.

To meet the needs of Ebenezer's growing congregations, many programs are offered for members of all ages, included Disciple Bible Courses, Stephen Ministry, and expanded music program to include choirs for all ages and two bell choirs. Community outreach programs are an integral part of the church with many of the members participating in Neighborhood House, programs for the homeless at Homeward Bound, Sojourner's Place and Hope Dining Room, prison ministries, and the Pike Creek Coalition of Churches.

175th Anniversary
Sunday, October 24, 1999, was a glorious day for Ebenezer United Methodist Church! We not only celebrated the church being established for 175 years, but we were celebrating our members who kept the faith and have continued serving God at the church on the hill.

The Rev. Dr. Willard Robinson, pastor of Ebenezer from 1956-1961, preached at 8:30 a.m. and 11 am. Worship services. Both services were well attended with 228 people at the 8:30 service and 269 at the 11 o'clock service. The 27 members who have belonged to Ebenezer for 50 or more years were recognized. Each were presented with a wooden cross strung on gold threads. A member, who wishes to remain anonymous, had the crosses made from a redwood beam from the old church. In the midst of our joy we also remembered Carolyn Starrett and Dick Gilkey, who went to be with the Lord this week.

The beautiful stained-glass windows taken from the old church were dedicated and now hang in the sanctuary. The congregation then sang "Ebenezer Stone of Help", a hymn written by our music director Kerry Dietz, for the 175th anniversary.

After the church service, the congregation gathered outside by the cemetery for a service of recognition of the historical marker from the State of Delaware. Joining the ceremony was Tom Summers, coordinator of public programming, Delaware Public Archives.

The celebration continued at 5 p.m. in the Christian Life Center with a sit-down dinner and program about Ebenezer and what was happening around the world at the same time [researched by Fadra Towers and compiled by Carl Jones]. Popular music from various eras was provided by Jay Webb and the Banjo Dusters, Dot Hitchens (who was organist from 50 years at Ebenezer), and Kerry Dietz, music director.

Former ministries were recognized with the attendance of Rev. Dr. Willard Robinson, pastor 1956-1961; Charles Davis, pastor 1961-1966; Florence Helms, widow of Robert Helms, pastor 1966-1978; William Dore, pastor 1978-1986; Michelle Moore, associate pastor 1995-1997; and Dan Gedman, associate pastor 1997-1999. Also recognized was Rev. Mae Etta Moore, who got her call from the Lord while attending Ebenezer from 1977-1980. Each person told of their experiences at Ebenezer, including stories about the old parsonage. The evening concluded with the singing of "Ebenezer: Stone of Help" and the presentation of an anniversary cake.

Let us praise God for those who came before us and those faithful servants with us now. Ask God to guide us into the future and bless those who will lead us into the new millennium.

Historical marker
One of the efforts of Norris Greenplate to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Ebenezer was the placing of a historical marker from the Delaware Public Archives at the site of the original stone church. The marker was funded through State Representative Pam Maier, a member of Ebenezer.

While Norris was the "push" behind all these efforts, he says "The praise should go to all the people who supported it." He believes this has been a unifying effort for the congregation.

The following is the text of the marker, which was dedicated on Anniversary Sunday, October 24, 1999: