Ancient Colonial burial ground at entrance to Lewes, no longer in use. This is thought to be the oldest burial plot in Sussex County.

"Uncovered" by boys of the Lewes Conservation Corp Camp in 1935 for the town's observance of "Old Sussex Day."

Approximately 100 slate and granite stones were found in the underbrush, revealing inscriptions written in Chaucerian spelling such as the long "s" and other habits of an extinct orthography.

On March 21, 1788, as recorded in the courthouse in Georgetown, a board of trustees was incorporated, with the purpose to build a church. These trustees were: John Wiltbank, William West, William Coulter, Abraham Hargis, Shepard Prettyman, William Prettyman and Thomas Coulter.

This board purchased from Rhoads Shankland, May 7,1788,a lot of 70 square perches for 7 shillings, the current lawful money for the State of Delaware,on what was known as "Shankland's Lane". The deed described the land, "on the northe west side of South Street(now Savannah Road) in Lewestown near the south west and thereof where the main branch of Canary Creek crosses the street." Measured, it is exactly 1 mile from Fourth Street to the site of the Old Ebenezer Church.

Prior to the Old Ebenezer Church being erected, circuit riders, traveling from settlement to settlement on horse back with Bible in one hand and reins in the other, would preach in private homes, Rhoads Shankland's having been one of them.

According to Francis Asbury's Journal entry, dated Saturday, September 25, 1779, "Rode to Mr. Shankland's near Lewestown. He is the son of a New Light (i.e. a progressive Presbyterian, contending for Christian experience rather than schooling)." Mr. Asbury declares Mr. Shankland's home had been the first house open to him in this region. Friendship and devotion to this new belief would have brought forth the strong support of Rhoads Shankland, Esquire-surveyor and important landowner.

A wooden frame building was erected in 1788 and named Ebenezer(Hebrew meaning "Stone of Help"). Nothing is known of its size but the remains of a cemetery can be seen today.

Ebenezer later burned and never was rebuilt on that same site.

A second Ebenezer Church was dedicated January 4, 1858. It was on 1/2 acre of land secured from the farm of Mrs. Abbie Marsh. The frame was 36 ft by 40 ft and had a gallery which increased the seating capacity. Repairs were made in 1886,1901, and 1920. It ceased to function as a church on March 18,1934, and demolished in 1955.

When Francis Asbury noted in his journal on October 12, 1790, "we have a Chapel in Lewestown," he was referring to Old Ebenezer.
Per information obtained from Bethel Methodist Church, Lewes, Delaware.

Information was researched from records in the basement of Bethel Methodist Church, Lewes,Delaware. Gennie

Ebenezer Church was the predessor of Bethel Methodist Church and Groome Methodist Church.