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Old Swedes Church

This 17th-century place of worship still celebrates holidays in the traditional Swedish fashion.

Wilmington, Delaware

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Young women dressed in traditional attire for the feast of St. Lucia.  
The interior of the old church.  
The church cemetery.  
A historic drawing of the church.  
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About

Holy Trinity Church, commonly known as “Old Swedes,” was built on the site of the burial grounds for Fort Cristina, in what was then the colony of New Sweden. The church opened in 1699 for a primarily Swedish congregation and is still an active place of worship today.

Notably, the church celebrates the traditional Swedish winter solstice festival honoring St. Lucia, the bringer of light. The grounds include the original building, a newer worship hall, a large cemetery, and a labyrinth. Old Swedes became part of the First State National Historical Park in 2015.

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The church offers both guided and self-guided tours daily.

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Published

August 22, 2023

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