Zoar is an

unincorporated community An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...

located in Sussex County,

Delaware Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...

, United States.

Geography

Zoar is located in the central part of Sussex County, where

Delaware Route 30 Delaware Route 30 (DE 30) is a state highway in Sussex County, Delaware. The route runs from an intersection with Bi-State Boulevard a short distance west of U.S. Route 13 (US 13) between Laurel and Delmar to DE 1 Bu ...

crosses Zoar Road. The community lies between Stockley and Hollyville. It is near Mount Joy.

History

The Zoar Methodist Church was founded in the late

18th century The 18th century lasted from January 1, 1701 ( MDCCI) to December 31, 1800 ( MDCCC). During the 18th century, elements of Enlightenment thinking culminated in the American, French, and Haitian Revolutions. During the century, slave trad ...

. Originally a log building, around 1802, the original Zoar Church was replaced by a cypress-shingle structure. The church was incorporated in 1810. A fire destroyed the second church in 1910, and the present structure was built. A historical marker was placed by the Delaware Public Archives in 1994. This church still operates, and is now known as the Zoar United Methodist Church. According to the State Archives, Zoar camp meetings began being held soon after the 1802 land purchase. These religious revival meetings were held in the grove adjoining the church. By 1893, the Zoar Camp was being called one of the oldest and most successful camps in Sussex County. The last meeting was held in 1918. By the middle of the 20th century, Zoar had become a settlement, located 5.5 miles southeast of Georgetown. County Road 48 is now known as Zoar Road in honor of the community. This road forms part of the boundary of Delaware's 19th Senate district, bisecting the community. In 2019, Delaware Electric Cooperative announced plans to build a second substation in Zoar. By 2020, plans had shifted, and the original Zoar substation would be replaced; according to representatives, the upgrades were necessary due to the rapid population growth in the area, and were projected to cost between $5 million and $6 million.

References

{{authority control Unincorporated communities in Sussex County, Delaware Unincorporated communities in Delaware