Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church

History

Gloria Dei, also known as Old Swedes' Church, holds the title of the oldest church in Pennsylvania and the second oldest Swedish church in the United States. The area, originally part of New Sweden, was first settled by Swedish pioneers in 1646. A blockhouse at Wicaco, now South Philadelphia, was converted for worship in 1677 and served the community until the current church building was consecrated on June 2, 1700. Colonial painter Gustavus Hesselius was among its members.

In 1703, the church hosted the first regular Lutheran ordination in the Americas, that of German theology student Justus Falckner. Renowned singer Jenny Lind performed here during her American tour. A Swedish chandelier donated by artist Carl Milles hangs in the center aisle. The church also displays models of the Fogel Grip and Kalmar Nyckel, the first Swedish ships to reach New Sweden.

Its collection includes bronze crosses and 18th-century Bibles in both Swedish and English. In 1845, the congregation, originally Swedish Lutheran, joined the Episcopal Church. Designated a National Historic Site on November 17, 1942, it is an affiliated area of the National Park Service under Independence National Historical Park and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. The church shared annual brotherhood services with the Neziner Congregation synagogue in 1947 and 1949.

In February 1954, Neziner joined Gloria Dei to welcome Governor John S. Fine for Brotherhood Week. In February 1956, members of Old Swedes attended Neziner for Purim eve services, and Neziner attended Old Swedes for Brotherhood Week. Neziner closed in 1983 and merged with Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel in Rittenhouse Square.