I want to thank Ron MacArthur for the column, “What is the oldest church in Sussex County?” As senior warden of the Episcopal Parish of All Saints’ Church and St. George’s Chapel, I wanted to thank Ron for including us in the historic churches column.
I would like to offer some slight corrections and additions to the information about our parish’s churches. St. George’s Chapel was founded and built by the Woolsey Burton family. In addition to the two sets of redecorations/restorations noted in the column, St. George’s initial redecoration/repair took place in the beginning of 1850, a mere 56 years after the “new” chapel was constructed.
All Saints’ Church in Rehoboth opened July 9, 1893. All Saints’ suffered from two fires, one Jan. 30, 1938, which largely destroyed the interior of the church. The second fire was May 23, 1943, which badly damaged the belfry. The All Souls chapel was added onto the side of the church, with the first service held there Nov. 2, 1943. This side chapel was lengthened in 1962 through 1963. All Saints’ Church is the oldest house of worship in continuous use in Rehoboth Beach, and it is one of just two buildings in Rehoboth on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1980, All Saints’ Church and St. George’s Chapel merged to become the Episcopal Parish of All Saints’ Church and St. George’s Chapel. A unique collaboration of one parish with two churches. Both church and chapel have vibrant, growing, active congregations with many parishioners, visitors and vacationers who enjoy attending both churches.
Again, thank you, Ron MacArthur, for your wonderful article about historic churches in Sussex County and for including our parish.
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