Downs Chapel Methodist Protestant Church in Kenton Hundred is the oldest Methodist Protestant Church in this section of the State of Delaware, having been built in 1843 (171 years ago). It was built upon land conveyed by James Downs to the Trustees of Downs Chapel Church on December 4, 1842. The first building was erected in the spring of 1843. Previous to that, Rev. Heritage came into the neighborhood and preached to large numbers in the woods, as this area at that time was woods and forest. The first sanctuary at Downs Chapel was small and had to be rebuilt in 1880. It was destroyed by fire in August 1925.

Our present brick building was built in 1927; the cornerstone was laid on the morning of November 13, 1927, and the dedication was in the afternoon. For our Church History, we used “Zebleys Churches of Delaware, Hallman Garden of Methodism, and Churches of Delaware.” We were told that the first church is part of Pratt’s horse barn. Most of Downs Chapel Church's records were lost in the fire of August 1925. “Daddy told me that men working on Route 300 were cooking in the back of the church in a lean-to, and the fire got out of control and burned the church,” Virginia “Ginger” Jones shares. Downs Chapel Church became a part of the Cheswold Charge in 1949 – before that, we were part of the Clayton Charge.

The following is a list of the ministers who have been appointed to the Cheswold Charge (Downs Chapel, Cheswold, and Immanuel Union):

1944 – 1946    Rev. Hugh Kelso
1946 – 1949    Rev. Edward Dougherty
1949 – 1952    Rev. Kenneth Snyder
1952 – 1955    Rev. Connie Dickens
1955 – 1957    Rev. Charles Squires
1957 – 1960    Rev. Olin Shockley
1960 – 1961    Rev. Larry Stayton
1961 – 1963    Rev. Robert Short
1963 – 1965    Rev. Robert Kelly
1965 – 1973    Rev. Charles Barton
1973 – 1977    Rev. John Van Tine
1977 – 1979    Rev. Robert Hall
1979 – 1980    Rev. Craydon McDonald
1980 – 1986    Rev. E. P. “Woody” Woodruff
1986 – 1988    Rev. Pam Lardear
1988 – 1989    Rev. Louis Timmons
1989 – 1993    Rev. Kim Gilson
1993 – 1994    Rev. Dale R. Pruett
1994 – 1995    Rev. Carol Rogers
1995 – 1998    Rev. Harvey Sturgis
1998 – 2004    Rev. Ronald Wuest
2004 – 2008    Rev. Everett LeCates
2008 – 2011    Rev. Ronald Schatz
2011 – 2014    Rev. Richard Rogers
2014 – 2016    Rev. Bonnie-Karen Mullen
2016 – 2018    Rev. Elizabeth Marrero
2018 – Present Pastor Doc Case
On May 8, 1983, church members and family celebrated the 140th anniversary of Downs Chapel with Pastor Woodruff, DS Gordon Stapelto, and Downs Chapel Choir.

On June 5, 1994, Downs Chapel Church celebrated its 151st anniversary with the reading of the church history and special services by Rev. D. (ale Pruett, followed by a covered dish dinner sponsored by Downs Chapel Ladies Aid (an important part of our church). The church organ was dedicated in 1987 in memory of Lawrence O’Neal; the church air conditioner was dedicated in 1989 in memory of Wesley Conley, Sr.; brass candlesticks and the walnut cabinet in the vestibule in 1998 in memory of Leroy & Edith Jones; the red church pew cushions were dedicated in memory of Paul Leager; the walnut baptismal font was built by Howard Everett in front of church in memory of Gertrude Smith Benton in 2003.

In April 1995, the church parking lot was laid from Wooleyhand & Smith Memorial funds.

In April 1993, stained glass windows were installed in transom and the front of the church by alter (Shenandoah Art Glass) in memory of James “Teddy” Wooleyhan, Richard “Dickie Wooleyhan, Lester & Nora Smith; also, stained glass windows were dedicated in memory of Marion Benton in March 1996; Cyntiha Caldwell 1996; Hazel Conley 1997; Everett Family in 1999; Carter family in 1999; stained glass box in memory of Jean Conley Wooters in 2007; Advent Wreath dedicated in memory of Robert W. & George Dunning in 2009; brass communion pail & memorial plaque in 2011 in memory of Diane Jones Cahall.

Downs Chapel Church celebrated its 170th anniversary on April 7, 2014, with Rev. Richard Rogers and Rev. Ron Wuest.

In 2018, Down Chapel had a handicap ramp installed to make it easier for our aging congregation to attend services. It was dedicated during the 175th anniversary celebration (in June 2018).

Downs Chapel Church is very proud of its heritage and grateful for the fidelity of its members throughout its 177 years.

“To God be the Glory.”

Our prayers are that God will continue to bless our Country Church at Downs Chapel . . . “Our Little Church in the Dale.”