Church-goers advocate for Native American memorial over shopping center

Tuesday's rezoning decision by the Sussex County Council has faced backlash from members of one Delaware church.

The council voted unanimously to approve an application to rezone a property off Kings Highway and Gills Neck Road. If all goes as planned by developers, it will be the future site of the Gills Neck Village Center.

The 11.65 acre center would sit across from Cape Henlopen High School.

Present at Tuesday's hearing was the Dover-based Victory Church.

Pastor Aaron Appling does not live near the proposed Lewes center; however, he has roots to the Nanticoke tribe.

According to Pastor Appling, records from the Lenape Tribe Of Delaware suggest there may be Native American burial sites near the property. Instead of a shopping center, he says it should serve as a memorial for Native Americans.

"It could my great-grandparents, I don't know. Great uncles, so I think it's important to us as native Americans that we be treated fairly and respected and that money…money and greed doesn't always win over the end," he says.
Despite the vote, Appling says they will continue to fight the decision. His church plans to gather at Cape Henlopen on December 27 and hand out flyers to raise awareness.