A Historic Beginning: Christ Church Launches the 250Ride.org Living History Reenactment

Guests arrive at Christ Church before the June 12 interdenominational prayer service that marked the beginning of the 250Ride.org living history reenactment. As the congregation gathered in anticipation, the stage was set for Caesar Rodney's historic Ride for Independence to begin. Photo Credit: Delaware Online

With waves, cheers, and well wishes from the gathered crowd, Caesar Rodney departs Christ Church to begin his historic two-day journey to Philadelphia. Recreated on June 12, 2026, the moment marks the beginning of the ride that would ultimately secure Delaware's vote for independence.

Portraying Caesar Rodney, Ciro Poppiti pauses beside the Caesar Rodney monument in the churchyard of Christ Church, where Rodney was a longtime parishioner and vestryman. While the monument honors the Delaware statesman, soldier, and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Rodney himself is believed to be buried in an unmarked grave at his family estate, Byfield, east of Dover. Photo: Jason Aquila

Nearly 250 years later, returning his story to the very church he once called home brought the reenactment full circle. Today, a monument honoring Rodney stands in the churchyard, serving as a lasting reminder of his enduring legacy and connection to the congregation.

Steeped in colonial history and standing just steps from Delaware’s State Capitol, Christ Episcopal Church provided the perfect setting to launch the 250Ride.org Living History Reenactment of Caesar Rodney’s Ride for Independence. Members of the community, dignitaries, supporters, reenactors, and guests gathered inside the historic sanctuary for a special Interdenominational Prayer Service, officially beginning a two-day journey that would retrace Rodney’s historic ride to Philadelphia.

Christ Episcopal Church in Dover, Delaware. Photo Credit: Ashlee Emerson Photography

More than a ceremonial sendoff, the service became a moment of reflection, gratitude, and unity, bringing together people of different faiths, backgrounds, and communities to celebrate America’s founding while recognizing the many individuals whose contributions have too often gone untold, yet were essential in securing our nation’s independence.

The Rev. John Tober, Rector of Christ Church in Dover, walks down the center aisle moments before the June 12 interdenominational prayer service, greeting the congregation as guests continued to arrive and find their seats for the historic beginning of the 250Ride.org living history reenactment. Photo Credit: Ashlee Emerson Photography

Led by The Rev. John Tober, Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, the service beautifully blended history, faith, and remembrance. Working closely alongside the 250Ride.org team, Rev. Tober helped create an experience that welcomed all in attendance while emphasizing the importance of coming together as one community to honor our shared history and move forward together.

Dr. Shekelia Hines, portraying Dinah of Stenton, opens the June 12 interdenominational prayer service from the pulpit at Christ Church. As a member of the Unheard Voices of the Revolution, she joined fellow reenactors in representing the diverse individuals whose contributions and experiences have too often been overlooked, ensuring that the story of America's founding reflects the many voices that shaped it. Photo by Ashlee Emerson

Throughout the service, members of the Unheard Voices of the Revolution took the pulpit, reminding the congregation that the story of American independence belongs to many voices and many communities. Hugo Immediato Jr., who also served as a co-producer of the 250Ride.org Living History Reenactment, portrayed Delaware signer Jacob Broom, while Shekelia Hines brought to life Dinah of Stenton. Primus Poppiti portrayed Thomas Rodney alongside his real-life brother, Ciro Poppiti III, who once again took on the role of Caesar Rodney. Former Delaware State NAACP President C. Linwood Jackson delivered a moving portrayal of Crispus Attucks, each helping tell a richer and more complete story of America’s founding.

Linwood Jackson, former president of the Delaware NAACP, portrays Crispus Attucks as he addresses the congregation from the pulpit at Christ Church. As a member of the Unheard Voices of the Revolution, Jackson helped honor the diverse individuals whose contributions to America's founding have too often gone untold. Attucks is widely recognized as the first casualty of the American Revolution. Photo by Ashlee Emerson

For approximately forty-five minutes, the congregation reflected on faith, sacrifice, service, and the shared ideals that united the colonies nearly two and a half centuries ago.

As the service drew to a close, history unfolded once again before those gathered.

Thomas McKean, portrayed by George Quinn, entered the sanctuary carrying urgent news from Philadelphia.

The Continental Congress was deadlocked.

Delaware’s delegation was divided. Thomas McKean had voted in favor of independence. George Read had voted against it. Only Caesar Rodney, still in Dover, could break the tie and ensure Delaware stood on the side of liberty.

Thomas McKean bursts into the Christ Church service with urgent news from Philadelphia: Delaware's vote for independence is deadlocked, and Caesar Rodney is needed immediately to cast the deciding vote. The dramatic moment sets in motion Rodney's legendary ride to Philadelphia. Photo by Ashlee Emerson Photography

The powerful reenactment recreated one of the defining moments in American history.

On July 1, 1776, McKean sent an urgent message requesting Rodney’s immediate return to Philadelphia. Despite suffering from painful facial cancer and riding through a violent overnight thunderstorm, Rodney traveled nearly 80 miles to answer the call. Arriving on July 2, he cast the deciding vote for Delaware, breaking the colony’s deadlock and placing Delaware firmly on the side of independence—helping pave the way for the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

As the congregation exited the church behind Caesar Rodney and Thomas McKean, George Quinn led those gathered in a stirring rendition of “God Bless America.” The voices echoed throughout the church grounds as hundreds followed the reenactors toward the front lawn, symbolically joining the beginning of the historic journey.

Following the service, the congregation gathers outside Christ Church as Caesar Rodney and members of the Unheard Voices of the Revolution prepare for the historic journey to Philadelphia. Photo by Ashlee Emerson

Outside, the story continued.

Surrounded by members of the congregation, Caesar Rodney and the Unheard Voices of the Revolution paused outside the church to speak with Delaware LIVE News about the significance of the reenactment and the urgency that once faced Delaware’s most famous patriot. Behind them, supporters filled the churchyard, eager to witness the official launch of the journey.

Just beyond the church gates, the horse-drawn carriage stood waiting.

George Quinn, portraying Thomas McKean, and Linwood Jackson, portraying Crispus Attucks, share a lighthearted moment beside the carriage as guests mingle with members of the 250Ride.org living history reenactment. Nearby, Caesar Rodney greets the crowd before embarking on his historic journey to Philadelphia. Photo by Jason Aguila

For many in attendance, it was the first opportunity to see the beautifully restored carriage and team of horses assembled outside the historic church, transforming the morning from a worship service into a living history experience. As the crowd gathered around, anticipation filled the air. The reenactment was no longer something to imagine, it was about to unfold before their eyes.

As the interview concluded, the crowd naturally made its way toward the roadside, where the carriage, horses, and driving team stood ready to begin the two-day reenactment. There, Rev. John Tober offered a heartfelt blessing over the horses, the drivers, the reenactors, the volunteers, and everyone who would take part in carrying Caesar Rodney’s story back to Philadelphia.

As the crowd gathered along the roadside, the carriage, horses, and driving team stood ready for departure. Before the historic journey began, the Rev. John Tober offered a heartfelt blessing over the horses, drivers, reenactors, volunteers, and all those taking part in bringing Caesar Rodney's Ride for Independence back to life. Photo Credit: Ashlee Emerson Photography

It was a moving moment that united everyone in attendance.

With the blessing complete, supporters gathered around the carriage to wish the team well before departure. Conversations filled the air as friends embraced, photographs were taken, and final words of encouragement were shared. What had begun as a prayer service had become a community sendoff, with hundreds standing together to witness history begin once again.

“The original ride was made possible because people answered the call to serve something greater than themselves,” said Ciro Poppiti III, founder of 250Ride.org and portrayer of Caesar Rodney. “Beginning our reenactment with an interdenominational prayer service reminded us that this journey is about far more than retracing history. It is about bringing communities together, honoring every voice that helped shape our nation, and inspiring future generations to appreciate the sacrifices that secured our independence. Standing outside Christ Church surrounded by so many supporters, you could truly feel that spirit come alive.”

Photo by Ashlee Emerson Photography

With one final wave to the crowd, Caesar Rodney climbed aboard the waiting carriage.

The horses stepped forward.

The 250Ride.org Living History Reenactment had officially begun.

The first day’s journey carried the team north through Delaware, making historic stops that highlighted the people, places, and stories connected to Rodney’s ride before concluding that evening at Thousand Acre Farm in Middletown for the sold-out 250Ride.org Gala. At sunrise on June 13, the reenactment resumed, continuing through Delaware City, Historic New Castle, Wilmington, and into Pennsylvania before concluding later that evening with a triumphant arrival near Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

With waves, cheers, and well wishes from the gathered crowd, Caesar Rodney departs Christ Church to begin his historic two-day journey to Philadelphia. Recreated on June 12, 2026, the moment marks the beginning of the ride that would ultimately secure Delaware's vote for independence. Photo by Ashlee Emerson Photography

For those who filled the pews of Christ Episcopal Church that morning, and for the many more who lined the streets outside to witness the sendoff, the Interdenominational Prayer Service was far more than the opening event of the reenactment.

It became the spiritual beginning of an unforgettable journey.

Long before the horses pulled the carriage north toward Philadelphia, the community had already come together with one shared purpose: to honor our past, celebrate the many voices that secured our independence, and move forward together as one nation.