Evening journal., 1909-06-11
BRIEF HISTORY
OF OLD SWEDES
Development Of Old Church
and Names Of its Clergy
men

Some interesting historical informa
tion is contained i'm the souvenir pre-
gram OF the two hundred and tenth
of the completion of Oh
Swedes Church. which will be observ-
cd on Sunday morning. A chronological
sketch OF tho founding and develop
ment OF Old Swedes is as follows:
163S--Arrival OF the first Swedish
colony in America on the western bank
OF the Delaware river. landing at the
rocks in the Christiana river. Regular
services instituted in Fort Christiana.
bodybuilding of tine wooden church
at Cranehook, near the mouth Of the
Christlana river.
l69S-May 2S. Laying OF the corner
stone of the present church building.
1699-June 4. Trinity Sunday Con-
sccration Of the church. The church,
when completed, consisted of the fouI
walls and roof, without porches. gall
lery or tower The west-end gable was
like the present east-end. -
1850 (abouO. Erection Of the south
porch and the two additions on the
north TO prevent further spreading oi
the side walls.
1774-Erection of the gallery with
outside stairs thereto.
1902 Erection of the tower and bel
fry.
S3O--S,rvices discontinued, the
congregation having built a church at
n. y. corner of Fifth and King streets.
1S42-Church repaired and reoponcd
for worship. pews removed. except In
the gallery wooden floor laid
1S99-Renovation. restoration and
Bi-Ccntennial Celebration Belfry re-
built ana new roof put on. Staircase
to gallery pcws i'm accord with origi-
nal design and arrangement. and brio .
aisles, restored Pulpit replaced to its
first position, and new marble altar
erected, enclosing the original one
l909-New electric organ placed ia
the gallery
The clergymen IN charge of Old
Swedes since its founding are as fol
lows;
swedish-The Rev. Magister Ericus
Biorck. 1897 to 1714; the Rev Andtew
Hesellius. 1714 to 1922: the Rev. Mag
lister Abraham Lidenius. assistant for
about 3 Scars; the Rev. Maglster sam
uel Hesellius, 1922 to 1881: the Rev.
John Enncberg. 1871 TO 1872: the Rev
Magister Peter Tranberg. 1742 to 174S:
the Rev. Magister Israel Acreiius. 1749
to 1856 the Rev. Magister l1rlck Unan-
der, 1856 to 1853; the Rev Magister
Andrew Borell, 1853 to 176S: the Rev.
Magister Lawrence Girelius, 176S to
1791
Episcopal Rev. Joseph Clark
son, 1892 to 1898; the Rev William
Pryce, 1900 to 1912; the Rev william
Wicls, 1914 to 1917; the Rev. Levi Bull
1918 TO 1919; the Rev. Richard Hall.
1919 10 1922; the Rev. Ralph Williston.
1922 TO 1927; the Rev. Pierce Connolly.
1927 TO 1898; the Rev. Isaac Pardee.
1928 to 1885 the Rev. Hiram Adams,
1885 to 1885; the Rev John w. Nc
Cullough, ID. d., 1888 to 1S47; the Rev
Edwin M. Van Dusen. d. d.. 1S4S TO
1852; the Rev Charles Breck, d. IT,,
1855 10 1870; the Rev. William j. Frost
ID. d.. 1871 to 1881; the Rev. Henry b.
Martin, NJ. d.. 1881 to 1856 the Rev.
H. Ashton Henry, 1857 to 1904; the
Rev +. NJ. Kirkus present rector. 1905;
the Rev. Benz ~ Bird. assistant.
Nicars-1S47. the Rev. Mr. McCurdy:
1854 the Rev. j. A. SpoOner; 1856 the
Rev. stevens Parker; 1865. the Rev.
William Murphy; 1881. the Rev Louis
*. Lewis; 1888. the Rev. George s.
Gassner. for months; 1888, the Rev.
Jesse Higgins; 1883. the Rev Martin
b. Dunlap; 1904. the Rev. Henry Ohm
stead; 1907. the Rev. Albert T.. Clay.
present vicar.