Our Lady of Guadalupe, Frankford

During the Summer months, there was an influx of visitors who came to enjoy the beach, fishing and escaping from the heat of the big cities. Much has changed since 1972. The area has grown exponentially and is no longer quiet, sleepy beach area. Over the years, thousands of people have found this to be a desirable place to retire or vacation.

It is not just Bethany Beach or the area closest to DE-1 that has grown. Great growth has also been taken place westward all the way to Frankford. Many housing developments have sprung up and the area has continued to welcome not only summer visitors but also new full time residents. Because of this, Saint Ann added more Masses in the summer months which were celebrated not only in the church but also in Delaney Hall, the original church building. Due to limited parking, Saint Ann had to work with the available space it had to meet the growing needs of both the parishioners and visitors.

As the area continued to grow the need for a mission church became apparent. A plot of land of approximately 25 acres was purchased in Frankford on Route 17 and the foundation stone was blessed by the Most Reverend Michael A. Saltarelli, eighth Bishop of Wilmington, on April 30, 2006. After much work and planning, Our Lady of Guadalupe was dedicated on August 12, 2008 by Bishop Salatarelli.

Our Lady of Guadalupe was become a second home for our Spanish parishioners who also utilize the church for many of their activities, including an annual living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.