Four Centuries Fete at Old Swede’s Church, Saturday, Sept. 27, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the church grounds at 606 Church Street, Wilmington. Click here for details of our Four Centuries Fete.
Welcome to Holy Trinity
(Old Swedes) Church
This is a place of history and a celebration of life. We invite you to worship with us when you are in Wilmington. Old Swedes is part of Trinity Episcopal Parish. Click here to visit the website of this active congregation.
Our church was established as a Swedish Lutheran Church. The church building was constructed in 1698-1699. The church was placed under the jurisdiction of the Protestant Episcopal Church in 1791. It flourishes today as the nation's oldest church building still standing as originally built. It is still in regular use for worship.
Old Swedes was designated a Registered National Historic Landmark on March 29, 1963 in recognition of its unique role for worship by numerous communities of immigrants:
- the Swedes at Fort Christina and the colony of New Sweden,
- the Dutch in the area centered at New Amstel (now New Castle, DE),
- the English in New Castle county of the colony of Pennsylvania,
- and finally Americans from many nations in the state of Delaware.
Read the history of our church and churchyard, which has sustained 15,000 burials and is active to this day.
Take a Virtual Tour
Please read about and look at the highlights of historic Old Swedes. We hope that you will then plan to visit us in person. To see larger pictures in the tour, click on the titles below the pictures.
The Virtual Tour includes:
- the interior of the church, with its stained glass windows
- the south side of the church and the burial grounds
- the Hendrickson House
Guided tours
- Guided tours are available to the public Wednesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Note to Groups: In order to have adequate guide staff available, we ask you to make advance reservations by calling (302) 652-5629.
- Fee: $2.00. Here is a map showing how to get here, with links to other tourist attractions in the Wilmington area.
- Bus tours can be accomodated for a fee of $75.00. There is space available to park buses.
More on this website:
- Other Links of Delaware Interest
- Visit the Labyrinth at Old Swedes Church!
- Don't miss Upcoming Events!
- Special items from our Newletter
Other Items of Interest
- Check our Gift Shop and list of books about early Swedish History, Old Swedes Church, and (for children) Swedish heritage.
- Now Available: The Story of Old Swedes Church. This is a cinematographic portrayal of Old Swedes Church and the Swedish settlement founded here in Wilmington, DE.
- Here's how to request research on people you know or hope are included in the church records (the earliest date is 1713).
- Find out about Old Swedes Foundation and please consider joining our conservation efforts.