The Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation (HGDPC) was established to fund, support, and supervise the restoration, renovation, and ongoing maintenance of the Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church buildings, grounds, and graveyard so that future generations may share in this historic and architectural treasure.
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Events and Programs
Underground Philadelphia: From Caves and Canals to Tunnels and Transit
When: Weds, Sept. 18, 2019 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church
Philadelphia’s relationship with the underground is as old as the city itself, dating back to when Quaker settlers resided in caves alongside the Delaware River more than three hundred years ago. The City of Brotherly Love later became a national and world leader in the delivery of water, gas, steam, and electricity during the industrial age. The construction of multiple subway lines within Center City took place during the early twentieth century. An intricate subsurface pedestrian concourse was also developed throughout the downtown area for the city’s inhabitants. From Thirtieth Street Station and Reading Terminal to the Commuter Rail Tunnel and transit lines that were never built, Philadelphia’s infrastructure history is buried under the earth as much as above. Join authors Harry Kyriakodis and Joel Spivak as they reveal the curious aspects of the Quaker City’s underground experience.
Digitizing the Records of Philadelphia’s Historic Congregations
When: Weds, Oct. 23, 2019 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church
Carol W. Smith will provide an overview of an exciting project which brings together the records of 11 of Philadelphia’s oldest congregations including Gloria Dei in one unified website. She will discuss the background of the project, what is still to come and how to best use this website for all types of research from genealogical to social history.
Rocks and Nails: The Carpenters’ Company and Religious Buildings in Early Philadelphia
When: Weds, Nov. 13, 2019 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church
History lovers will enjoy this talk about the Carpentersʼ Company as an institution, trade guild and professional organization. Alex Palma, Assistant Director of Carpentersʻ Hall, will discuss the Companyʼs role in building the religious landscape of colonial and early federal Philadelphia. Members of the Carpentersʼ Company are known to have been major contributors to the woodwork in Gloria Dei, for example – in both the Philadelphia Church and the earlier Church in Wilmington. Additionally, members of the Company worked on St. Josephʼs Catholic Church, the steeple of Christ Church and the Arch Street Meeting House. Alex will also touch on some of the preservation work being done on these churches and other churches in Old Philadelphia by Carpenters’ Company member firms.
Historical Research
Our historians are writing biographical sketches on our “permanent residents.” Here you will learn about the people buried in our churchyard.
Capt. Charles Sandgran
The inscription on Capt. Charles Sandgran’s headstone is now obliterated. But, a century ago, it was possible to read this terrible pronouncement: “the earth and the sea shall give up their dead.”
Capt. Robert Rae
A large obelisk commemorating the life Capt. Robert Rae stands in the Gloria Dei churchyard. Rae was “lost at sea” somewhere along the River Nuñez in 1839.
Lost at Sea: Capt. Henry Sharp
Capt. Henry Sharp was “lost at sea” while on a voyage to Africa in 1836. What caused his demise? We may never know but many seamen of the time died from exposure to tropical diseases like malaria.
Lost at Sea: James and Josephine Stewart
The words “lost at sea” are the most melancholy, and often the most mysterious, inscriptions on gravestones at Gloria Dei. In those cases, the stones are merely markers for a person who never came home and never saw their loved ones again.
William “The Legend” Isaacs
Bill Isaacs, a South Philadelphia taproom owner and lifelong Mummer, founded the Downtowners Fancy Brigade. Within a decade, he changed Mummers history.
Jack and Margaret Dunn
Jack and Margaret Dunn were a wonderful couple from Southwark who had long family histories in the community. The Dunn’s lived on the unit block of Fitzwater where they raised their twin sons before their home was demolished for I-95.
Joseph and Mary Kane
Joseph and Mary were lifelong residents of Southwark/Queen Village. Married for over 52 years, they raised their four children in their Front Street home. They were both dedicated to helping family and friends throughout their lives.
Francis and Margaret Moock
Frank and Margaret Moock both grew up near Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church in Philadelphia. Although they were not parishioners of this church, Gloria Dei held a special place in both of their hearts. Here Margie Moock Schernecke shares stories about her parents and their love for Old Swedes’.
Churchyard Map
As part of our churchyard research project, we are creating an interactive map to help visitors find their ancestors’ graves. This project is in its early stages, but you can see our progress by viewing our map.
