About Cokesbury United Methodist Church
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Vision
Cokesbury United Methodist Church envisions itself as the village church, sharing God’s love with the community of Marcus Hook, and globally, through worship, education, and service.
Mission
The mission of Cokesbury United Methodist Church is
To grow together in our love of God.
To be witnesses to the joy of a life centered in Christ.
To make a positive impact on the well being of the community.
To support the global church.
Community
Our church serves the area of the Chichester School District. We are located in Marcus Hook, PA - the most southeastern community in the state.
Current census data shows a population of 2,420 with a median age of 32.5, a median income of $37,961, and a poverty rate of 19.2%. From a statistical perspective, this is who we are; however, our town is rich in history and lore.
The area was originally home to the Lenape nation. In the 1640s, the first Swedish travelers arrived. The area then passed to the Dutch and then the British as a result of war.
The Dutch gave the settlement its name, Maartes Hoeck. Maarte was a Lenape chief who lived at the hook in the Delaware River - the same location as the town. The name became anglicized to Marcus Hook over the years.
Being a river town, Marcus Hook was a favorite port of call for pirates in the 1700s. Legend has it that a Plank House in town was the home of Blackbeard's Mistress. 2nd Street was fittingly named "Discord Lane" during the pirate era. Every September the Marcus Hook Preservation Society holds a Pirate Festival to celebrate this part of our history.
Legend holds that Marcus Hook was part of the Underground Railroad in the 1800s. People have found what appears to be tunnel entrances in the basements of old homes leading to speculation about pirate smuggling and the Underground Railroad.
Industry came along in 1902 with the Sunoco Refinery being built along the Delaware River. In 1910, American Viscose built a plant in Hook to produce rayon - then called artificial silk.
American Viscose also constructed a model village for its workers and management. This neighborhood of 260+ houses is still very much in use today. Long time residents (also known as "Hookers") refer to this neighborhood as "The Village".
