Salem United Methodist Church
http://www.sumc.com/#/who-we-are/our-history
Our History

The origins of Salem are traced back to the spring of 1790, when 28 people were converted at a basket meeting in a grove near the Sandy Branch Canal. The congregation, appropriately called Sandy Branch, was organized at a meeting in the home of David J. Murray. A log chapel was soon constructed and served as a gathering place for the Sandy Branch congregation.

A second building was constructed near the first in 1812. Costing $200, it was roughly 18 feet by 20 feet. The inside was lit by torches and had pine slab benches for seats. It was also used as a public school building. However, it wasn't until early 1833 that Delaware laws permitted the incorporation of churches. In November of that year, Milbern and Rebecca Murray deeded the Salem meeting house for use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, along with 52 poles of land (approximately one-third of an acre).

In May of 1849, Zeno and Rebecca Long deeded property to the trustees of Salem. Located near the existing church, this land was used for the construction of a new building. Eventually, it was sold and used as a barn until it caught fire and burned in 1935.

Meanwhile, the town of Selbyville was springing up. In 1884, the location of Salem was moved with the construction of a new building on the present Church Street site. Additional land was purchased from William R. McCabe in 1889, and from William S. McCabe in 1895. This building was then moved to the opposite end of the lot in 1911 and was used as a school for younger grades. It was destroyed by fire in October of 1922.

Our present building was erected in 1911-1912 with stone quarried from Perryville, Maryland. Construction of the educational building began in June of 1947. It was opened in November the following year and has served Salem well ever since.

In 1990, Salem proudly celebrated 200 years as a church. Today we continue to grow and strive to serve the community of Selbyville in new and innovative ways.