OUR STORY 

This church when organized was not connected with any denomination. It was an individual independent church, named in honor of one of its founders-Mr. Amos Thomas.
It was organized in 1827 by a company of Christians desiring to meet together for prayer, a mile south of its present location. This body of worshippers met and organized and not having a building they met in each other houses to hold services. This continued until 1836 when they bought a quarter acre lot on the New Castle-Frenchtown Pike from Mr. Eldred Lower for one dollar. The trustees at the time were Mr. Henry Prat, Mr. James Thompson, Mr. Ezekiel Hamilton, Mr. Joseph Pennington, Mr. James Brown,
Mr. Empson Anderson and Mr. Adam Mount.

In 1837, these men bought a log house in Acontown, which is now Glasgow, Delaware, in order that they could have a fixed place for worship. This log building was 20 x 20 feet with one window on each side. Sometime later the building was improved by adding 10 feet to its length and raising it four feet higher. They weather boarded and plastered the rooms, heated it with a ten-plate wood stove; lighting was supplied with tallow candles until 1870.
Rev. Benjamin Scott and Bro. Freeman were very watchful over this church. With the aid of these men this church became connected with the First Colored Methodist Protestant Church. The Ministers who held services 1850 to 1862 were the Rev. George Lewis, Rev. Alfred Congo, Rev. Joseph Pennington, Rev. Isaac Nichols and Bro. John Lum.

In November 1865 Bro. Elias Lum was sent to Baltimore as a representative from St. Thomas Church to help form the union that united this church with the First Colored Methodist Protestant Church.

In October 1866, a general conference was held for the purpose of forming a constitution to make laws to govern the churches. Rev. Alfred Congo and Rev. Isaac Nichols represented St. Thomas Church. This was a new era.

In 1867, the Annual Conference appointed Rev. Alfred Congo to the church, 1868 Rev. Solomon Benson, 1870 Rev. Daniel Russell, 1873 Rev. John Morris, 1875 Rev. Nichols Collins was sent to pastor church. Under the leadership of Rev. Collins, the church began raising money to build a new house and in 1877 they bought a half-acre from Mr. George Boulden for sixty dollars.

The cornerstone was laid for the new building in October 1877, Rev. Daniel Russell was the pastor at that time, he was made president of the conference. In 1878 the Rev. Benjamin Scott was sent as pastor at that time we• were in a circuit with St. Johns Church in Newark, Delaware.

The new building was dedicated on June 16, 1878. Rev. Charles Williams preached the dedication sermon, the text was " My house shall be called a house of prayer".
It was at this time they moved into the new building and began having services. The beloved old building was kept for social gatherings.

Many years of history have been lost down through the years but though grace and mercy God knows it all.

In July 1941 the Home Mite Missionary Society under the leadership of their president, Sis. Maude Holmes and the pastor, Rev. Josiah King added a much-needed kitchen to the old building. The grand reopening and homecoming were held on Sunday, August 24, 1941-- love feast conducted by Rev. Joshua King and Rev. Edward Cannon, who was the A.U.M.P. Conference president Rev. John W. Brown brought an inspiring message. Rev. John Dennison gave a brief history of the old church. Sis. Sarah Money and Sis. Gertrude Burke was the chair ladies. Rev. Joshua King was the pastor at that time.

In 1945, under the leadership of Rev. George Woodards, the Trustees purchased a plot of land from Mrs. Emma Smith for the purpose of enlarging the cemetery and added the grove with the support of the entire community. They also had both buildings electrified. In 1948, Sis. Rose Congo Johnson had a drive with the help of members, well-wishers and the pastor, Rev. George Woodards. Enough money was raised to fence in the entire cemetery.

In 1950, still under the leadership of Rev. George Woodards, the Sunday school under the guidance of Sis. Ethel Roy, strove to equip the grove with playground equipment for our children's enjoyment, also the Stewardess Board backed by the entire church started a building fund for the purpose of building a parsonage.

On August 13, 1951, the Trustees purchased ground with a partially constructed building from Mr. William Grinnage for $500.00 (where Dining Hall sits now).
Smith Day was held on June 27, 1954, for the benefit of putting a new floor in the church. Smith Day was sponsored by Bro. William Smith with the help of the entire Smith family. The Trustee's under the supervision of their president Bro. William Smith, put down the floor free of charge for which the church was most grateful. It was finished August 17, 1954.

The baseball club, seeing that their church needed painting, sponsored a rally under the leadership of their manager Mr. Rudolph Valentine on the last Sundal in July 1954 which was a great success. The painting was started on September 7 and was finished September 19th, 1954

The water was started in the church under the leadership of Rev. M. L. Kilson and finished under C. A. Potts. Under the leadership of pastor, A. B. Henderson, we put in our pulpit furniture, rug, altar set and our medallion windows. The members have worked hard and did many other things, such as, painting of our church on the inside. The willing Workers Club gave us a beautiful new stove. The Pulpit Circle and Prayer Band gave us the new pulpit light and offering plates. Mrs. Gladys Hacket gave new flood lights for the outside of church. The Ushers and Busy Bees bought new chairs for our Dining Hall. The Trustees put new storm windows and doors on the parsonage and the stewardesses painted the parsonage on the inside. The Sunday School gave the church the Christian and American Flags and the Busy Bees gave us a new Bible. The Trustees have cindered the parking area.

Since then, under the supervision of our past pastor Rev. A. B. Henderson often years we have accomplished many things. In 1968 we bricked the church. This was done by some of the members headed by Rev. Herman Congo. Rev. Billy Congo helped with the bricking before he went into the ministry. We have added a pastor's study, a choir room, central air conditioning and the Pastors Aid Club gave a P.A. system. 

In 1975 the new dining hall was built by Bro. Robert Shorts, contractor, and was dedicated in October 1975. After 1975's dedication many things too numerous to mention have been added to the church and its surroundings.

In the year of 1990 St. Thomas was in conflict with Bishop Delbert Jackson over the deeds of the church properties. The conflict lasted approximately 3 years into the court system. Then the battle was finally won by the Trustees of St. Thomas Church in the Chancery Court. The Trustees received their deeds to the properties and buildings in 1993.

Since that time St. Thomas has been an independent church. Hiring their pastors whenever necessary. Since St. Thomas has left the A.U.M.P. Conference we have had 3 Pastor Rev. Lynn Daniels and Bishop H. Herman Congo we are now under the leadership of Bishop Jerome S. Starks. During these 198 years under the leadership of different pastors with the help of the members and friends many things have been accomplished.

God is still in the blessing business and will continue to bless us as a church family as long as we do what the Lord says. These 198 years have been a challenge for our members in keeping the history of this church going.

The old church building is still standing at this time, but the paperwork is being held in the County Building as to the demolition of the old church building at this time.
But through it all we've learned to trust in JESUS, we learned to trust in GOD. GOD is the first and GOD is the last. We give GOD all the praises and we want to say thanks to all our members, relatives and friends down through the years for our wonderful success.