The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-05-29
SKETCH OF OLD swEDEs!

Old Swcdes Church Is the most hallow-
cd spot in the States history, tho one firm
and connecting link between the present
and the past In Its graveyard lie the
bones of the early settlers of Delaware, as
well as those of her distinguished sons of
the present century. The ancient edifos
Is good for many years Of use. Where the
sturdy Swedish pioneers worshipped two
centuries ago, every Sunday Wilmington
ians bow their beads In prayer. The con-
gregation Of Old Swedes is mostly now of
the humber classes, but the historic
church always had an attraction for the
late Thomas T. Bayard, and 1t is and has
heen the religious home of the Bayard
family In the churchyard adjoining the
remains Of the late Ambassador are i'll
terred and his funeral services were held
therein.
Tho Church Is now the charge Of Trim.
ity Episcopal parish, and the services
were under the direction of Bishop
Coleman. For some time past workmen
have been busly restoring the ediflce to its
original appearance. Tho shingle roof has
been renewed, the pews have been arrang-
ed as they were located by the Swedes,
some running lengthwise on the sides and
Others facing the pulpit, and the seatjngs
In the galleries have been restored. The
pews nre Of plain wood, painted white.
AoIo IL ho IlOOI, puU UuO
laid by the Swedes are In position. except
here and there where they have been re-
placed by new ones. Tho stairway to the
gallery is now entered from the exterior
of tho church, as originally constructed.
HOW THE SITE WAS FIXED.
Tradition says that one OF the Swedish
colodists, young woman died on ship
board at the Rocks" q point extending
out to tide water between the Brandywlno
and Christiana, Creeks, and the colonitts
buried the body in what Is now the come
terry surrounding the present church.
This fixed the site of the first Swedish
cemetery and also Of tho church. When
Rev. Eric Bjork, pastor of tho Swedish
Lutheran congregation by the appolnt-
mont Of King Charles XG, Of Sweden, ar
agitation for new church building, the
one at Crane Hook having become too
small.
Aftor deciding to build, most difficult
problem to solve was the selection of the
site for the new structure. The Swedish
had extended southwark along =.
the rt<efto st. Georges on tho Delaware
side and to Salem on the New Jersey side.
These people objected to having tho church
homes. The crossing Of the Christiana
was matter of interest to both tho south
side and north side and north side real.
dances. Neither party wanted to nav
ferry tolls every Sunday morning to 10 10 |
church. 1t was finally agreed that the |
church should be on the north side and the |
north side residents agreed to furnish a
new boat for the free use Of the south side
.olks when they came to church.
AN oLD-TIME DEDICATION.
Tho plans Of the Swe iish preacher called
or a building sixty feet long and 30 feet
vide On May rs, 1893, the corner stone
vas laid by tho protector. The work was
in the following May or June.
md the church was dedicated on Trinity
sunday 1899. This was great day in the
'illage of Chrlstianahamn. Pastor Biork.
u his records, says that tho dedicatory
ervices were attended by hundreds Of
'ersons who contributed food for tho ylsi-
ors, as they had building material. A
ull account OF these contributions is pre-
eryed In tho records OF Holy Trinity
)hurch. Among the articles put down
vere flvo sheep, two calves and one quar-
or of venison, seven bushels Of malt, six
nd one-half bushels Of malt six and one.
alf bushels OF wheat, four hundred
ounds of -four and three gallons Of vino
Rev. Eric Bjork, tie pastor, served for
eventeen years, when he returned to
weden, where he died. Rev. Lawrence
iirellus, the last Swedish pastor, had
harge OF tho congregation during the
War. He was dlspossessed
the church after the battle of the Brandy.
line by British soldiers, who made their
uarters there. He was evidently pat l