HISTORY
of the Westminster Presbyterian Church
75th Anniversary 1932-2007

In 1931, on an Easter Sunday, a small group of Presbyterians began to hold meetings in Horn's Theater at Rehoboth Beach. Spearheaded by Mrs. Thomas Holland, and a group of deeply committed members from the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church of Midway, these meetings continued at the theater until a store-room was rented in the Carmine Building. The church was organized on November l, 1931 and the charter incorporating the church was prepared by James M. Tunnell, Sr. of Georgetown, DE.

With the donation of land in the Rehoboth Heights area from Henry Conant, a building contract was drawn in February, 1932. The architect was Archibald G. Lamont, and the superintendent of construction was Howard C. Taylor and the estimated cost of the building was $9,000. An interest free loan from the National Board of Missions enabled construction to begin. Pledges of labor as well as money helped the mission church to take shape. Men dug the basement using wagons, mules and scoop buckets, and in only six months, the cornerstone of the building was put in place in the morning by Elder Victor Hughes., on July 10, 1932. It was dedicated during the afternoon of the same day by Reverend John Humphreys, and the celebrants gathered again in the evening to give thanks.

The fledgling church would face some difficult times in the years following 1932. The Reverend John Humphreys must be credited with holding the congregation and its mission together, and ensuring the church structure of elders, deacons and their terms of office. Rev. Humphreys was a pastor-at-large, and in 1937 he was called to serve as Pastor. In 1938, the church was again required to rely upon supply ministers. By 1939, a call was extended to Reverend G. A. Schnatz, who served until 1944.

In l944, the Reverend Dr. William Drysdale Gibson supplied the pulpit during the summer months, and was called to serve as Pastor. The Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1945 listed Westminster Presbyterian Church (Rehoboth) as having 53 members. Dr. Gibson's objective was to see if this church could become more active and vital. With the ending of the war in 1945, a gradual return to normalcy was prevalent and Rehoboth Beach once again began to awaken.

As the church and its membership began to grow, the Sunday School facilities were proving inadequate, and it became necessary to expand the building. In 1956, the renovations and additions were undertaken by D. Franklin Quillen as general contractor. The second cornerstone in the expanded building bears the year 1956, but it was dedicated on June 16, 1957 on the 25th Anniversary of the church. Funds for the renovation were raised through various benefit affairs, and pledges from members. Fourteen special memorial gifts were also dedicated at that service . At this point, Westminster Presbyterian Church (Rehoboth) had cleared all indebtedness and was no longer classed as a mission church.

Dr Gibson served for 20 years, and after his death in 1964, a call was extended to Rev. John Dean. With his energy and enthusiasm, he began to engage in school activities, with the fire and police departments, and other civic organizations. His radio ministry was extremely popular over WGMD for many years. Dr. Dean service of 35 years saw the church through times of turmoil on the national scene, enabling Westminster to be a strong viable, visual presence in the Rehoboth Beach Community.

After Dr. Dean's retirement, The Reverend Dr. David Kaminsky served as interim pastor from 2000 to 2002, and in 2003 a call was issued to Reverend Dr. Frank Deming, Jr. His wife, The Reverend Dianne Deming is serving as Parish Associate. Dr. Frank Deming is President of the Lewes/Rehoboth Association of Churches

The red-brick church has become a beloved landmark for Rehoboth citizens, who recognize that Westminster is open to all, assured of a warm welcome and with the hope that "May all who worship here find Peace and Comfort."