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Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church
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Holy Trinity Church (Old Swedes)
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| Location: | E. 7th St. and Church St., Wilmington, Delaware |
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| Built: | 1698 |
| Architect: | Multiple |
| Architectural style: | No Style Listed |
| Governing body: | Private |
| NRHP Reference#: | 66000261 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP: | October 15, 1966[1] |
| Designated NHL: | November 5, 1961[2] |
Holy Trinity Church, also known as Old Swedes is a church in Wilmington, Delaware that is a National Historic Landmark. It was dedicated on July 4, 1699.[3]
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The church was built in 1698-99 in the Swedish colony of New Sweden from local blue granite and Swedish bricks that had been used as ship's ballast. The church was situated on the site of the Fort Christina's burial ground, which dates to 1638. It is claimed that it is "the nation's oldest church building still standing as originally built". There are reportedly over 15,000 burials in the churchyard. Lutheran Church services were held in the Swedish language well into the 18th century.[4]
The church has housed an Episcopal parish since 1791 and is now part of the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware. An earlier church in New Sweden was built in Swanwyck, near New Castle about 1662 which was replaced by a combined church and fort at Crane Hook in 1667.[5]
In 1958 the historic Hendrickson House was moved to the grounds of the church. The church building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961.[2] [6] Trinity Parish operates two church buildings in Wilmington, both listed on the NRHP: the main building on North Adams,[7] and Old Swedes at East 7th and Church Streets.
Notable burials include:
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