Stevenson’s History
Stevenson United Methodist Church has a long and honored history. In the years before the Civil War, Perdeaux Chapel in Sinepuxent Neck, the mother church of Stevenson Methodist Episcopal Church, ministered to the families of the local plantations and farms. As the small crossroads community of Berlin grew, there was felt a need for a church there. Thus, Cedar Chapel, the first permanent place of worship in Berlin, was erected in 1835 on a lot secured from Minos Timmons located on South Main Street near what is now Buckingham Cemetery.
During the Pastorates of Rev. William Campbell and Rev. Francis Rutter, the congregation grew and a second larger Methodist church was built in 1847 on a lot at North Main Street where the present church stands. The name was then changed from Cedar Chapel to Stevenson in honor of Edward Stevenson who donated the ground for the new building, a neat one story wooden structure. The home church was one of the largest circuit composed in 1857 of the following churches: Berlin Sinepuxent, Friendship, Populartown, Whaleyville, Bethel and Line Churches. In 1864, Bethel and Line Churches were united with Laurel Circuit.
Early in 1883, Rev. C.A. Grice, Pastor of Stevenson, noticed that many people buried their dead in open fields and other uncared for spots. He conceived the plan of creating a public cemetery. The Trustees of Stevenson Church, with a loan from Rev. Grice, purchased five and a half acres of land from Miss Nanny Purnell. Early in 1884, a grave was dug for Greensbury Ennis, the first person to be buried there. Lots were sold and deeds given. Evergreen Cemetery is the burial ground for hundreds of friends and neighbors of Stevenson and the community.
In 1894, during the Pastorate of Rev. W.R. MacFarlane, extensive improvements were made to the church building. A second story, a new steeple and memorial windows were added. Later, in 1902 a pipe organ was installed in the second-floor sanctuary. It had to be pumped with a long lever from the first floor.
Rev. George C. Williams was appointed to Stevenson Church at the Conference in 1904. That same year the parsonage was destroyed in one of the disastrous fires that swept the town but the main church was spared. The parsonage was rebuilt in 1905.
During the years around 1909, this church was known for its great Revival Meetings. The sanctuary was filled to over flowing. Early in the year 1911, under the Pastorate of Rev. T.R. VanDyke, it was decided that a new and larger church building was needed for the growing congregation and Sunday school. It could be said that the Methodist wanted a new church building because the Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches were new, having been rebuilt following the 1904 fire which had destroyed the two previous churches in Berlin’s downtown. Much of the town was destroyed in that fire.
A building committee was appointed in February of 1912. The committee decided to build a stone structure of Port Deposit, Maryland, granite. The contract was granted to Lester M. Holland of Berlin. (Two other churches in the area were built by Holland around the same time; one in Selbyville and one in Ocean City.) A crew of Italian Stone Masons from Philadelphia did the stone work. Ground was broken August 1, 1912 (on the same site).
The new church had a large sanctuary (seating capacity 350), oak pews, an organ, and some of the most beautiful stained glass windows ever made. They conveyed stories from the life of Christ and are still enjoyed today. Additional rooms for primary, junior and adult Sunday school classes, a study and small library, adjoined the sanctuary on the south and east ends.
Dedication was June 22, 1913, led by Bishop Joseph F. Berry, assisted by District Superintendent, Dr. G.P. Jones, Dr. H.G. Budd, Rev. T.F. Beauchamp and the pastor, Rev. T.R. VanDyke. The 46th session of the Wilmington Annual Conference opened on April 1st in the new church.
The next major improvement was the addition of a church house. Late in July of 1937, a building committee was appointed and work began on the foundation in August of 1937. By the end of October of that year, the building was completed. The dedication took place on Sunday, November 7, 1937.
Some of the early parishioners’ family names whose descendants are members today are: Davis, Palmer, Wimbrow, Quillen, Harrison, Holland, Collins, Purnell, Powell, Johnson, Furbush, Oltman, Esham, Benson, Richardson, Hardesty, Warren, Williams, Coffin, Walston, Rhodes, Peters, Cathell, Milborne, Bethards, Wise, Crooks, Babcock, Grise, Pruitt, Birch, Brittingham, Christopher, Taylor, Parsons.
In April of 1952, under the Pastorate of Rev. Elmer L. Bennett, the Methodist Men voted to build five Sunday school rooms and a hallway, connecting the church and the church house. This would provide ample space for growing Sunday school classes. The dedication of the new addition was March 8, 1953.
The mellow-sounding bell calling the devoted to worship from the towering belfry, the warm oaken pews, the celestial sounds from the organ, and the large stained glass windows remain precious works of beauty today. Each window depicts a familiar story and scene from the Bible: “Jesus and the Children” – Mother’s bringing their children to Jesus for His blessing; “Jesus in the Garden Gethsemane” – Jesus praying before His crucifixion “Father not My will, but Thine be done;” “Come Unto Me” – Jesus extending His hands in invitation; “Resurrection” – depicting Jesus and Mary on Easter Sunday morning; “Ascension” – Forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus speaks to His disciples on the Mount of Olives and rises into Heaven; “Good Shepard” – Jesus lays down His life for His own.
In 2002 under the leadership of Rev. Jay Hurley, ground was broken for another addition, our Family Life Center. Our Building Campaign was called “Celebrate the Faith” and invited us to rejoice in our faith-past, present and future. The dedication ceremony was held April the 13th 2003. We thank and praise God for His provision and guidance!!
Stevenson United Methodist Church stands today, a symbol of love, faith and dedication to the Berlin community.
By Historians: Shirley Scott and Mabel Holland
