BGuthrie Photos: PA -- Philadelphia -- Gloria Dei Church NHS (Old Swedes)

PA -- Philadelphia -- Gloria Dei Church NHS (Old Swedes):

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[1] GLORIA_080831_007.JPG	[2] GLORIA_080831_010.JPG	[3] GLORIA_080831_016.JPG
[4] GLORIA_080831_022.JPG	[5] GLORIA_080831_028.JPG	[6] GLORIA_080831_035.JPG
[7] GLORIA_080831_037.JPG	[8] GLORIA_080831_042.JPG	[9] GLORIA_080831_050.JPG
[10] GLORIA_080831_056.JPG	[11] GLORIA_080831_061.JPG	[12] GLORIA_080831_065.JPG
[13] GLORIA_080831_074.JPG	[14] GLORIA_080831_078.JPG	[15] GLORIA_080831_085.JPG
[16] GLORIA_080831_088.JPG	[17] GLORIA_080831_096.JPG	[18] GLORIA_080831_106.JPG
[19] GLORIA_080831_110.JPG	[20] GLORIA_080831_115.JPG	[21] GLORIA_080831_135.JPG
[22] GLORIA_080831_140.JPG	[23] GLORIA_080831_144.JPG	[24] GLORIA_080831_154.JPG
[25] GLORIA_080831_165.JPG	[26] GLORIA_080831_174.JPG	[27] GLORIA_080831_185.JPG
[28] GLORIA_080831_189.JPG	[29] GLORIA_080831_195.JPG	[30] GLORIA_080831_200.JPG
[31] GLORIA_080831_206.JPG

Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. GLORIA_080831_010.JPG: Old Swedes' Church "I joined in marriage the first couple, viz. Jonas Jonson, a Swede, and Anne Amesby, an English woman, in the English language." -- Diary of Rev. Andreas Sandel, July 29, 1702. Here are the memories of an all but forgotten group of early settlers in America -- the Swedes. More than 300 years ago, before the founding of the city of Philadelphia, Swedes settled the Delaware Valley. Religion was important to these early pioneers who first worshipped in log buildings in 1677. The present church was dedicated in 1700, and is now the oldest church in Pennsylvania. Later, English immigrants founded Philadelphia, resulting in the eventual assimilation of the Swedes. Today the Episcopal congregation of Gloria Dei Church helps to preserve the pioneering heritage of the Swedes who settled here when this was only a wilderness. Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church was designated a National Historic Site in 1938. Park-owned land surrounding the church helps to preserve the historic setting. The church buildings and burial grounds are privately owned and administered. Visitors who enter with respect are welcome during scheduled hours.
2. GLORIA_080831_016.JPG: John Hanson
3. GLORIA_080831_035.JPG: To the glory of god and in memory of Betsy Ross widow of John Ross maker of the first American flag married in this church to Captain Joseph Ashbourn June 15th 1777 Erected by Flag House Chapter DAR January 11th 1931.
4. GLORIA_080831_037.JPG: The cherubs came over on the first boat
5. GLORIA_080831_174.JPG: Old Swedes': Old Swedes' is the oldest church building in Pennsylvania. The initial congregation was descended from Swedish Lutheran colonists who came to "New Sweden" in 1643. They came as a Christian community, bringing their own pastor, Jacob Fabritius, the baptismal font which is still in use, and decorations for their church, including the large carving of cherubim and Bible on the front of the organ loft. The first parishioners modified a wooden blockhouse on the site for worship in 1677, which was replaced by the present brick church in 1700, using a pattern of Flemish bond and black headers. The tower was completed by 1703, as were the two transept-like additions added to the north and south walls for support. After the War of Revolution, the Swedish Lutheran congregations in America, six in total, received permission from the bishop of Uppsala to elect their own pastors. Most joined the emerging Episcopal Church immediately; Gloria Dei did not do so until 1845. Following the death of Nils Collin, the last Swedish missionary, Jehu Curtis Clay, an Episcopal priest, was elected pastor, and under his leadership the congregation underwent a major renaissance. Growing attendance required an increase in seating capacity. In 1846, major changes were made: a new balcony was added; the floor was raised (probably because of moisture problems); wainscoting was added to the interior walls; the original casemate windows were replaced by the present double-hung sash; two windows were added to the second floor to provide light tot he new balcony; and the present stained glass window behind the pulpit was installed. A new rectory and the sexton's house had been built in the 1830s. The parish hall dates from the 1860s and the new building on Water Street from the 1960s. During the ministry of Dr. John Craig Roak (1933-1972), Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church was designated a National Historic Site (1942), and Congress authorized the National Park Service to make appropriate improvements to the environs of the church. To that end, the properties to the north and south of the church were purchased (1950s), existing structures removed (1960s), and the present landscaping and walls were added (1970s). Gloria Dei, though, remains an independent institution of the Episcopal Church, funding its own programs and maintaining its own property. A small but active community continues to worship within the ancient walls.
6. GLORIA_080831_185.JPG: The baptismal font came with the first boat
Wikipedia Description: Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church National Historic Site
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church National Historic Site preserves the second oldest Swedish church in the United States, founded in 1677. Located at Columbus Boulevard, previously known as Delaware Avenue, and Christian Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the present structure was erected about 1700. It is a splendid example of 17th century Swedish church architecture. In 1845, the congregation joined the Episcopal Church.

Cemetery:

The church cemetery includes the following interments:

* John Hanson (1715-1783), "President" of the United States under the Articles of Confederation.
* John C. Hunterson, Civil War soldier and Medal of Honor recipient (issued August 2, 1897).
* William Irvine (1741–1804), Revolutionary War officer and physician.
* George Ord, Sr. (d. 1806), Revolutionary War adventurer, sea captain.
* George Ord, Jr. (1781–1866), ornithologist.
* James Peale (1749–1831), Revolutionary War officer and artist (brother of Charles Willson Peale).
* Alexander Wilson (1766–1813), ornithologist and illustrator.
* Richard Cantril (Cantrell) (1666-1753), the first brick mason to build a permanent structure in Philadelphia for William Penn.

Administrative history:

The church was designated a National Historic Site on November 17, 1942. It is an affiliated area of the National Park Service under Independence National Historical Park. The church site is owned and administered by the Corporation of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.
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