Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Old Swedes), Wilmington

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, commonly known as Old Swedes, stands as one of the most enduring symbols of Swedish-American heritage in the United States. Located at East 7th and Church Streets in Wilmington, Delaware, the church was consecrated on Trinity Sunday, June 4, 1699, by a congregation of Swedish settlers who had formerly been part of the New Sweden colony. Built in 1698鈥�99 on Fort Christina鈥檚 1638 burial ground, the church is among the oldest surviving Swedish colonial buildings and claims to be the nation鈥檚 oldest church still used as originally built. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and incorporated into the First State National Historical Park in 2013.

Constructed from local blue granite and bricks that once served as ship ballast, Holy Trinity is a rare architectural survivor of the early colonial period. The churchyard holds over 15,000 burials, underscoring its long-standing role in the spiritual and civic life of the area. Services were originally conducted in Swedish well into the 18th century, a reflection of the congregation鈥檚 heritage and the continued pastoral support from the Church of Sweden, which sent missionaries to the Delaware Valley in 1697.

Holy Trinity is one of several "Old Swedes" churches in the region, part of a broader network that includes historic congregations in Philadelphia, Swedesboro, and beyond. Over time, these churches transitioned from their Lutheran origins to become part of the Episcopal Church, with Holy Trinity officially joining the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware in 1791. Today, the parish oversees both the Old Swedes Church and another historic building on North Adams Street, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds also house the Hendrickson House, relocated there in 1958 to further preserve the legacy of early Swedish settlement in America.

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Sight Name: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Old Swedes)
Sight Location: Wilmington, USA (See walking tours in Wilmington)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Quaker Hill and Downtown Historical Buildings

Walking Tours in Wilmington, Delaware

Create Your Own Walk in Wilmington

Creating your own self-guided walk in Wilmington is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Quaker Hill and Downtown Historical Buildings

For many visitors to Delaware's Wilmington, the downtown district is the main area of interest.

Indeed, the majority of Wilmington's most distinguished attractions are found here. Steeped in history, this part of the city still carries legacy of its first Swedish settlers much as that of the du Pont family who left a great deal of mark on the town's history. Some of the key local... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

Wilmington Introduction Walking Tour

Wilmington is the largest city in Delaware. It lies at the confluence of the Brandywine and Christina Rivers. Wilmington was originally home to the Lenape people. However, the land was purchased from Chief Mattahorn by the Swedish South Company in 1638. They built Fort Christina at the mouth of what would later be called the Christina River.

The Swedish lost control of the Fort Christina... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

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