The history of Old Swedes Historic Site dates back to 1638, when Swedish and Finnish settlers arrived on the Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip and established Fort Christina in what is now Wilmington, Delaware.   The site was used as a burial ground for the Fort, but also holds signs of earlier use by the Lenape Native Americans. Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church was constructed 1698-1699 to serve the Swedish community that remained in the English colony of Pennsylvania after Swedish Lutheran missionary Erik Björk arrived in 1697.

Standing the test of time, Old Swedes Church is one of the very few surviving remnants of the New Sweden Colony in the Delaware Valley. It’s also one of the oldest structures in Delaware, and the oldest houses of worship in the United States still in use.  In the spring of 2015, it became one of the six sites comprising the First State National Historical Park.  It has borne witness to many major events in U.S. history, including the American Revolution, World Wars I & II, and many more. 

If you’re following the Delaware History Trail  Old Swedes Church is one of the locations on it! 

Hours:
Old Swedes Historic Site is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Logistics:
Free parking available in the cobblestone parking area adjacent to the Hendrickson House. Enter from Church Street. On-street parking available on 7th Street and Church Street.

Tours:
Tours are scheduled on the hour with the first tour at 11:00 am and the last at 2:00 pm.

Tour fees are $12 per individual; $7 per student (ages 6-15)/military/first responders; free for children 5 and under. Your admission includes access to the new Self-Guided Cemetery Tour app.

Members are always free.

Visitors are also welcome to walk the cemetery grounds for $5 per person.

Note: There are no public restroom facilities available at Old Swedes Historic Site.

Getting Here:
Address:  606 N. Church St., Wilmington, DE 19801
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