A Tale of Two Brothers: Augustus and Edward Sargent
Augustus Sargent and his brother Edward were closely linked in their lives and careers.
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March 13, 2023
Astrid Katarina Person Perry
She was the first Lucia at our Lucia Fest, a diving horse lady at Steel Pier and a masseuse with famous clients like Liberace, Gypsy Rose Lee, Al Capone and the King of Sweden.
January 17, 2023
Gloria Dei - Olde Swedes Church March 12, 2007 © Ed Hille
Barbara A. Chilcott
The Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church community lost longtime member and friend Barbara Chilcott. Barb is remembered for her big heart, unwavering kindness, and positive attitude.
September 2, 2022
Reverend Andreas Rudman
The Reverend Andreas Rudman was the builder of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church and its first rector. He is buried under the sanctuary.
May 19, 2022
Capt. James Snell
Michael Schreiber tell us about Capt. James Snell’s daring acts and rescues at sea and his unsuccessful attempts to avoid capture by the British and the French.
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March 3, 2022
John Lungren
John Lungren operated a papermill located on Chester Creek, PA. The house he built in 1799 is on the National Register of Historic Places.
August 29, 2021
Andris Souplis
Andris Souplis was a French Huguenot, a weaver, the first sheriff of Germantown, and the progenitor of the Supplees in America.
May 10, 2021
Jake and Betsy Roak
Jake and Betsy Roak were married 56 years. They died within 2 days of each other. They lived their lives fully and inspired in the service of others. Together they advanced a family legacy.
January 15, 2020
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."
June 16, 2019
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.
June 10, 2019
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.
June 5, 2019
Depiction of a shipwreck not unlike the one that claimed the Ellen.
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.
May 20, 2019
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.
May 7, 2019
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.
April 22, 2019
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.
April 19, 2019
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'.
April 8, 2019
The "Learn to Strut" display inside the Mummers Museum. Photo by Steve Highsmith
Frank “Mr. Clown” Stermel
Francis (Frank) Stermel was born on June 3, 1916 to Anthony Stermel and Helen Szymanski Stermel. He was a lifelong resident of South Philadelphia and a true mummer.
March 25, 2019
The Rectorship of Reverend Snyder Binns Simes
The Rectorship of Mr. Simes holds a unique place in the record of the Gloria Dei Church’s ministry. During his long tenure, the congregation grew, developed and prospered. He was the spiritual guide of more than a generation of affectionate parishioners.
February 15, 2019
Catharine Marett And Her Family
Before her death in 1998, Catharine Marett donated the bulk of her life savings toward the 300th anniversary historic restoration project at Gloria Dei Church. Thanks to her generous endowment, the congregation was spared from financial ruin.
February 4, 2019
Sampson Harvey, Sea Captain And Patriot
Sampson Harvey was born in Cornwall, England, on March 14, 1731. He was master of a number of merchant vessels in the 1760s and often sailed to the West Indies.
January 28, 2019