Old Swedes Church (Holy Trinity Church)

Homestalgia Archive

Community memory · 1698-1700 · Aug 7, 2026

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Construction of Holy Trinity Church, commonly known as Old Swedes Church, began in 1698, making it one of the oldest churches in America still holding regular services. It was built by Swedish settlers who had established the New Sweden colony in the Delaware Valley decades earlier. The church is characterized by its sturdy stone construction using local blue granite and simple, yet elegant, lines. The first services were held in 1699, and the church was formally consecrated on June 4, 1699. It served as the spiritual and social center for the Swedish community, providing a vital link to their heritage and faith in the new world, even as the region transitioned under English rule.

Source: National Park Service, First State National Historical Park, Old Swedes Historic Site; Old Swedes Historic Site, church history; Delaware Public Archives, New Sweden history