Churches in Delaware

Religious Landscape of Delaware

Delaware, the First State, has a religious profile that bridges the Mid-Atlantic and Southern traditions. United Methodists are the most widespread Protestant group, reflecting the state's historical ties to the Methodist movement that swept through the Delmarva Peninsula in the 18th century. Barratt's Chapel in Frederica, built in 1780, is known as the Cradle of Methodism in America. The Catholic Church is the largest single denomination, with strength in the Wilmington metro area and among Delaware's growing Hispanic population. African Methodist Episcopal and historically Black Baptist congregations have a notable presence, particularly in Wilmington and Dover, reflecting Delaware's complex history as a border state during the Civil War. The Episcopal Church maintains historic parishes in the northern part of the state. Southern Baptists have established a modest footprint, primarily in Sussex County in the southern portion of the state, which is culturally more aligned with the rural South. Delaware's small size means that congregations of any denomination can draw from across state lines, and many residents in northern Delaware attend churches in Philadelphia or its Pennsylvania suburbs. The state's adherence rate of about 46% is near the national average.