Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation

05/29/2026

🌟 Join us on June 7 at 1:00 pm for a captivating journey through history at Gloria Dei Church! Nestled on nearly five acres of lush greenery, this national historic site is a testament to the past. Built between 1698 and 1703, the church was a beacon for European settlers along the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers.

Uncover the stories of our shared heritage with historian and archivist Jeanette Woehr, as she reveals the rich history of this sacred space and the influential figures who worshipped here or are honored in the graveyard.

Meet us inside the church at 1:00 pm for an enlightening tour that lasts about an hour, rain or shine! Tickets are just $15 each, and advanced registration is required. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with a nearly forgotten chapter of our history! Tickets are available at www.preserveoldswedes.org.

05/15/2026

🎶 The Franklin Quartet is coming back to Gloria Dei Church, and we can't wait to see you there! 🎶

Join us for "A Federal Fanfare at the Franklins’!"
🗓️ May 22 @ 7:00 PM.

Step into history with us as we immerse ourselves in the enchanting atmosphere of an 18th-century parlor music gathering at Benjamin Franklin’s estate, just after his transformative decade in Paris. Experience the joy of reconnecting with Philadelphia’s vibrant musical legacy, featuring compositions by Boccherini, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Gossec, Rigel, and Pleyel—many of whom were dear to Franklin and graced the salons of his friend Madame Brillon.

✨ Admission is just $30 for adults and $15 for students with ID, including a drink ticket for your choice of beverage! Be sure to register in advance to secure your spot!

After the concert, join us for a Meet-and-Mingle at Riverside Hall, where you can indulge in delectable gourmet desserts paired with wine, coffee, or tea while conversing with these talented performers.

Don't miss this chance to celebrate music, culture, and history! Get your tickets today at www.preserveoldswedes.org.

05/08/2026

✨ Step back in time with us! Join tour guide Mike Teti for an unforgettable journey through Old City Philadelphia on May 17 @ 1:00 pm. Tickets are just $20!

🗺️ The adventure kicks off at the iconic John Barry statue, nestled in the square behind Independence Hall... Stroll through the very streets where revolution, faith, finance, and education intertwined during those pivotal years around 1776.

🚪 Starting in the State House Yard—the heart of the independence movement—this tour captures the essence of a city transforming from colonial capital to the dynamic political center of a new nation.

📚 Discover the institutions that shaped our history: from Philosophical and Library Halls, to the early campus of the University of Pennsylvania, Carpenters’ Hall, and the first banks that funded both war and peace.

⛪️ We’ll also dive into the rich tapestry of the city’s religious life—exploring St. Mary’s and its 1781 Te Deum for Yorktown, the Arch Street Meeting House, and the historic site of Zion Lutheran Church, where the community paid tribute to George Washington in 1799.

🔔 Our journey wraps up at Christ Church, the cherished parish home of many founders, and the birthplace of the legendary bells hidden during British occupation—an intriguing story intertwined with Gloria Dei itself.

👉 Don’t miss this chance to walk through history—grab your tickets now at www.preserveoldswedes.org.

04/29/2026

🎶 Get ready for a magical afternoon! Join us on May 3 at 4:00 pm for a captivating pop-up concert, "Bach and the Art of Flourishing," presented by Filament.

Experience the enchanting sounds of our trio: Evan Few on violin, Elena Kauffman on viola da gamba, and John Walthausen on harpsichord, performing in the historic oldest church in Pennsylvania—one of their favorite venues!

After seven incredible years, Filament has earned its place as a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s early music scene, celebrated for its unique programming and engaging performances. Our new program spotlights the beautiful and intricate works of J.S. Bach, featuring sonatas for violin and viola da gamba, alongside mesmerizing pieces for solo harpsichord.

Admission is just $30 for adults and $15 for students with I.D.. Plus, your ticket includes a complimentary drink (choose from alcoholic or non-alcoholic)! 🎟️✨ Don’t miss your chance—advance registration is highly recommended!

04/21/2026

🎉 Join us for an exciting weekend filled with community spirit and unforgettable experiences!

🌟 On Friday at 1 p.m., dive into our second annual Gravestone and Historic Marker Community Service Day. Last year, over 60 amazing volunteers came together to restore gravestones and markers in a historic burial ground that predates William Penn by five years. Let’s make history shine again! (FREE)

🎶 Later that evening at 7 p.m., don’t miss "Amour et Mémoire: A Salon of French Philadelphia," presented by the Publick Pleasure. Immerse yourself in a unique concert that celebrates love and memory, styled as an 18th-century French salon in Philadelphia. Featuring the enchanting music of Duport, Barriere, Corrette, and more. Get your tickets now: ($30 Adult, $15 Student w/ID)

🏛️ Finally, on Sunday at noon, join historian and archivist Jeanette Woehr for a captivating Guided Tour of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church. Discover the rich history of Pennsylvania’s oldest church, from its founding to the present, along with the fascinating stories of the many historical figures connected to its historic graveyard. Don’t miss out on this enriching experience! ($15)

Register for all of this great events at www.preserveoldswedes.org. We hope to see you there!

04/17/2026

A haunting tale from 1828

A life cut tragically short. On April 17, 1828, John Morgan, a young Welsh immigrant, lost his life in a heartbreaking accident. His story, preserved in the Gloria Dei Church Archives, reminds us of the fragility of life and the untold stories hidden in history. 🌟

"John Morgan died ag. about 20 native of Wales, arrived here months ago. He lived with Mr. Berry, below Southwark going home late, he tried to get over a fence of pales; but the skirts of his coat fastened on them. so that he hung down & was choked."

History has voices that still whisper. Let’s honor and remember them.

04/02/2026

Many thanks to the American Swedish Historical Museum for featuring the great work that Colliers Engineering & Design is doing at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Episcopal Church. In this video, you'll learn about the results of their first ground penetrating radar study of our graveyard.

This lecture showcasing the cemetery program for the Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation was presented as part of the ASHM Centennial Third Thursday...

03/17/2026

We can't wait for this program! This was an incredibly fun and intriguing project. Be sure to sign up for this free webinar.

This month’s Third Thursday Virtual Program will Highlight the Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation’s intriguing cemetery project. ⛪

In 2024, Todd Compton, a direct descendant of Peter Gunnerson Rambo, set out to find where his ancestor was buried using legend, family records, and modern technology. Peter Rambo, Todd’s 10th great grandfather, arrived in America in 1640 and is known as the father of New Sweden and one of Pennsylvania’s earliest European settlers. 🔍

Even though family records pointed to Peter’s burial in the Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church cemetery along the Delaware River, there was no headstone marking his grave. 🪦

Using ground penetrating radar (GPR), Todd and a team led by geophysicist Alex Ross worked to locate the burial site and uncover hidden features of the historic cemetery, without disturbing the ground. 📡

This is a free program presented via Zoom. Registration is required.

We hope to see you there at this months virtual program! ✨
Register here,
Link: https://www.americanswedish.org/events/third-thursday-virtual-program-gpr-project-gloria-dei-old-swedes-episcopal-church-cemetery

03/17/2026

Return with us now to the mid-1790s in Colonial Philadelphia, when one out of ten residents here was French. (Many had fled to Philly from Paris after the French Revolution.)

Treat yourself to “A Stranger in the Country: The Musical Prowess of Henri Capron,” a concert performed by cellist Eve Miller and The Publick Pleasure, 3 p.m., Sunday, March 22, at Historic Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church.

A huge force in Colonial Philadelphia music

Capron was a cellist, composer, music publisher, impresario and major performer in Philadelphia. Eve Miller uses historical ads, programs, newspapers and more to make Capron and his music come alive in a unique way to the audience.

“Even though over 200 years have passed, I feel like Henri Capron is a close colleague of mine. Just like gigging musicians in Philly today, he had to be a hustler! I’m excited to share his amazing music and life with Philadelphia audiences,” says Eve Miller.

This concert includes works by Gretry, Tilliere, Duport, J.C. Moller, and Le Garde.

Performers are: Brian Ming Chu, voice; Eve Miller, cello; Daniel Swenberg, English & Spanish guitars; John Walthausen, harpsichord; Alissa Magee, voice; and Francis Liu, violin.

Tickets for adults are $30, for students with I.D. $15. Admission includes a drink ticket for a beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). Tickets are available at http://www.preserveoldswedes.org or at the door.

A reception will follow the concert in nearby Riverside Hall.

02/09/2026

🎊 Get ready for an unforgettable weekend adventure! ...
Join us as we bring you amazing experiences:
✨ Kick off Thursday at 7 pm by exploring the remarkable life and legacy of George Washington with author Jeffrey Finegan.
❤️ This Saturday at 7 pm, celebrate Valentine's Day with enchanting Bach Cello Suites performed by the talented Eve Miller.
🕍 Conclude your weekend with a captivating journey through history on Sunday at noon with an exclusive tour of the iconic Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church led by Jeanette Woehr.
Don’t wait—secure your tickets now at http://www.preserveoldswedes.org or grab them at the door! 🎫

Your participation helps preserve the beautiful Gloria Dei Church and its historic graveyard.