Preserving the Oldest Church in Pennsylvania

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App Launch Party

App Launch and Anniversary Party

April 26 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Have you ever wandered the graveyard at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church and wondered about the people buried there? Now is your chance to find out.

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Guided Tour: Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church

June 2 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

On June 2, 1700, Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church had its “grand opening.” Celebrate its 324th anniversary with a guided tour led by historian and archivist Jeanette Woehr.

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Self-Guided Graveyard Tours

For a limited time, enjoy our free special tours that showcase the historic figures and the change-makers of our times. Many of these important stories have never been told before.

Founders Magazine

In our quarterly magazine, we publish our research about those who are buried in our graveyards and their impact upon Philadelphia’s history. Here are some of our recent issues:

The Music of 1700 [Concert + Lecture] – Great Talks at Gloria Dei

Research

We conduct research into the lives of those buried here and share their stores in our magazine and on our website.

  • Maria Peale

    Maria Peale

    Her only surviving piece was sold at Sotheby’s in 2008.

  • Eleanor Richards Simes

    Eleanor Richards Simes

    She helped lead the church for 47 years, established a Sewing School for children, and popular Men’s Bible Study classes, too!

  • Russell Sonju

    Russell Sonju

    He was a big-time trombone player who received a Purple Heart in WWII.

  • Captain Thomas Arnold

    Captain Thomas Arnold

    He went from deck boy to sea captain and even wrote a handbook on seamanship

  • Jacob Jackson, Jr.

    Jacob Jackson, Jr.

    Born into a family of mariners, he died in the Potomac River.

  • Gloria Campisi

    Gloria Campisi

    She had a great ability to locate hard-to-find interviewees.