Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation

07/15/2026

Big news! We are thrilled to share that the Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation has been awarded a 2026 grant from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund! This support provided by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund helps us continue our mission
to serve and nourish our community through art and culture right here in Philly. Thank you to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, PHLCouncil, and Mark Squilla for investing in the cultural vitality of our
neighborhoods!

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...