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Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church (c. 1906). A black and white version of the same image appeared in the October 2021 edition of this newsletter.
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"What a find!" - Sally H.
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"Excellent that you found some photos of gravestones from 1906, even if from behind, and that you think you can identify the grave of [my ancestor]." - Andrew S.
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But that’s not all. This postcard inspired some of you to send us your vintage postcards of Gloria Dei. One of these images came from Terry Brasko, a longtime trustee of the Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation. It was printed for the 225th anniversary of the founding of the city of Philadelphia. Here William Penn, the city’s founder, is celebrated alongside Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church. This implies a connection between the two, but what is it? This question inspired our dear friend and published author Jim Murphy to find out. You can read what he learned below.
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We do not have paid staff. Discoveries like this are made by our volunteer board members. You can support our efforts by making a donation to our organization.
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Candace Roberts
Chair of the Board
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Friends of a Friend
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The Swedes and William Penn
apparently got along quite well
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When William Penn arrived in Philadelphia on the ship Welcome in 1682, the Swedes had already established a rural community in Wicaco just south of Penn’s new city of Brotherly Love.
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This rare postcard for the 225th anniversary of the founding of the city of Philadelphia depicts William Penn and Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church. Courtesy of Terry Brasko.
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As a good Quaker (aka the Society of Friends), Penn welcomed the settlers (and Indians) who came before him and tried to treat them fairly. In fact, he purchased much of the land for Philadelphia from three Swedes of Wicaco — the Svennson or Swanson brothers, sons of Sven Gunnarsson.
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Penn’s first choice for his city’s location was actually in Upland (where the current city of Chester, Delaware County, is today), because it was closer to the sea. But his three commissioners found it too difficult to buy or trade land with the long-time Dutch and Swedish residents there. So Penn moved upriver to set up his city between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. And it prospered, growing as much in seven years, as many places did in 40, Penn said.
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Note: Recent reports say William Penn kept as many as 12 enslaved people at his Bucks County home, Pennsbury Manor. I’m sorry to hear that. While misguided, he was a man of his time. Over the course of his life, he provided many precious freedoms to people in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.
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Some interesting oddities about the
Swedes’ connection with William Penn
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- Nils Gustafson, a 91-year-old Swede, remembered having seen “a great forest” where Penn’s city of Philadelphia is today. He also met with an old Indian who said he often killed stags “on the spot where Philadelphia now stands.”
- According to George W. Boudreau, author of “Independence: A Guide to Historic Philadelphia,” Gloria Dei Church (Old Swedes') is believed to be the "only surviving building in Pennsylvania William Penn ever set foot in.” The church was also close to Penn’s city — once being described as being “no farther than two musket shots from the south side of the town.”
- William Penn signed the naturalization papers for Pastor Andreas Rudman of Gloria Dei Church, and knew him well. Clergyman Eric Björk said in a letter that Penn was “quite favorable and courteous” to Rudman, lived close to him “and often walks to his house.”
- Even before coming to America, the clergymen actually met Penn in London in 1696. They visited him to obtain Penn’s approval for their voyage to America. Why? Because by that time, Sweden had no diplomatic representative in America.
- A granddaughter of Sven Swanson, who lived to be 103 years of age, told her grandson she remembered having seen William Penn on his second visit here (Dec. 1699 to Nov. 1701). She described him as “a thick-set, agreeable-looking man, of middle stature, wearing a wig.”
- Peter Gunnarsson Rambo, the longest living of the original Swedish settlers and known as the Father of New Sweden, was selected by the Swedish settlers to greet William Penn, their new governor, when he arrived at Upland on Oct. 27, 1682. His grandchildren reported that Penn often lodged at Rambo’s home.
- Rambo, who adopted his surname for reasons not completely clear, brought apple seeds in a box to America. It’s possible the first Rambo apple tree was produced from one of those trees. When novelist David Morrell came across the apples in Pennsylvania, he liked “the sound of force” of the name Rambo. So he named the action hero in “First Blood” John Rambo.
Although William Penn was invited to the dedication of Gloria Dei Church June 2, 1700, we don’t know if he attended or not. But we do know that during his less than four years total time in Philadelphia, Penn had a good deal of contact with the Swedes here … and a good relationship as well.
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In a letter to the Free Society of Traders, he said: “(The Swedes) are a plain strong, industrious people … they kindly received me.”
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Additional research by Amy Grant
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Jim Murphy, a certified Philadelphia tour guide and author of over 55 articles on Philly sites for the Society Hill Reporter and QVNA Magazine. He used many of those stories in a new book he wrote for Temple University Press. The title: "Real Philly History, Real Fast,” published in June, 2021. He also spearheaded William Penn birthday celebrations at Welcome Park and City Hall.
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Real Philly History, Real Fast
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When: Jan. 13, 2022 at 7:00 pm [FREE]
Where: Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church and Live Stream
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Historian and tour guide Jim Murphy will discuss his book “Real Philly History, Real Fast.” He will present “fascinating facts” about Philadelphia heroes and historic sites many of us have never heard before.
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Limited seats available for in-person attendance. The event will also be live-streamed. Advance registration is required.
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Ask Us Anything, Part II
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During this informal Q&A on Oct. 28th, these panelists answered questions about Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church and early Philadelphia:
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- Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams – Curator, archivist, historian
- Jim Murphy – Author, researcher, tour guide
- Michael Schreiber – Author, historian, journalist
- Amy Grant – Researcher, writer, mapmaker
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We discussed William Penn's relationship with the Swedes, how the neighborhood of Queen Village really got its name, what was happening at Gloria Dei Church in the years leading up to the American Revolution and whether or not there are graves buried under I-95.
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Featured Marker of the Month
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Reverend Andreas Rudman
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Rev. Andreas Rudman supervised the construction of the Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church from 1698-1700. He died in 1708 and is buried underneath the sanctuary.
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This monument covers the
remains
of the Rev. Andrew Rudman.
Being sent hither from Sweden,
he first founded and built this church,
was a constant and faithful preacher
in the English, Swedish and Dutch churches,
eleven years in this country,
where he advanced true piety
by sound doctrine & good example.
He died September 17 A.D. 1708,
aged 40 years.
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A Message from Our Sponsor
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The Jazz Sanctuary, Philadelphia’s most innovative music organization bringing live jazz music to performing arts and events spaces throughout the Greater Philadelphia region, begins a busy holiday season this month with four live performances.
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Advance registration is required for all events over email (ReserveJazzandJoe@gmail.com). Please include your name and the venue. Please bring your vaccination card with you. If you are not vaccinated, please wear a mask. If you are vaccinated, but have no proof, please wear a mask.
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Our Keystone Project Sponsors
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We are profoundly grateful to these organizations for their support of our painting and wood repair project.
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The Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Federal ID# 45-3210057). All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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