Gloria Dei Church

https://www.nps.gov/glde/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_Dei_(Old_Swedes%27)_Church Gloria Dei Church, known locally as Old Swedes', is a historic church located in the Southwark neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 929 South Water Street, bounded by Christian Street on the north, South Christopher Columbus Boulevard (formerly Delaware Street) on the east, and Washington Avenue on the south. It was built between 1698 and 1700, making it the oldest church in Pennsylvania and second oldest Swedish church in the United States after Holy Trinity Church (Old Swedes) in Wilmington, Delaware. Before Pennsylvania there was New Sweden. Discover this last historic link to a forgotten past. Visit the church's pastoral surroundings and its burial ground of patriots and ordinary citizens alike. The Gloria Dei Church is accessed from Christian Street in South Philadelphia. As in any city, use your street smarts and do not leave any valuables visible in your car. Several SEPTA bus routes serve the vicinity of the site. Visit the website for more information. Steeple of the Gloira Dei Church A color photo of the Gloria Dei Church steeple during a sunset in Philadelphia. The church building at Gloria Dei 'Old Swedes' has been in use since 1700, making it the oldest church building in Pennsylvania and the second oldest in the United States. The steeple was completed in 1703. Gloria Dei Chuch yard A color photo of the Gloria Dei Church yard showing tombstones with the church in the background. Gloria Dei Church was designated as a National Historical Site in 1942. The Gloria Dei congregation owns and maintains the church and the related buildings, its ministry and the grounds. Interior of the Gloria Dei Church A color photo of the interior of Gloria Dei Church showing the pulpit and a stained glass window. Situated above the pulpit is the only stained glass window in the church building. Created in the mid 1800s, the window is the earliest example of American stained glass among the 3600 windows in the Philadelphia region. Model of a ship hanging inside Gloria Dei Church A color photo of a model tall ship hanging inside Gloria Die Church. Hanging from the ceiling of Gloria Dei are models of the two ships that brought the first Swedish colonists to North America in 1638, the "Kalmar Nyckel" and the "Fogel Gryp." The Gloria Dei Church c.1850 A 19th century photograph of the Gloria Dei Church, with the cemetery in the foreground. This 1850s photograph shows a bird's-eye view of the Gloria Dei Church, with the cemetery in the foreground and the masts of ships visible in the background. Regina P. Jones Underwood Brake Regina Jones-Brake's career with the National Park Service (NPS) began in 1976 with the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. Over the next 33 years, her love of American history compelled her to share untold stories as she advanced from park ranger to management assistant. Regina Jones-Underwood pictured outdoors in her NPS uniform.