Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site

The Church building at Gloria Dei 'Old Swedes' has been in use since 1700, making it the oldest church building in Pennsylvania and the second oldest in the United States. The steeple was completed in 1703.
Before Pennsylvania there was New Sweden. Discover this last historic link to a forgotten past. Visit the church's pastoral surroundings and its burial ground of patriots and ordinary citizens alike.
Map showing location of park.
The National Parks of Philadelphia announce job fair - September 18, 2024
The National Parks of Philadelphia will host a job fair at the Independence Visitor Center (6th and Market Streets) on September 18, 2024, from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.
Independence National Historical Park receives reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums
Independence National Historical Park (INHP) has been awarded reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, the government, funders, outside agencies, and the museum-going public. It also means the park continues to meet National Standards and Best Practices for U.S. Museums and remains a member of a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to excellence. Through a rigorous process of self-assessment and review by peers, the park has shown itself to be a good steward of its resources held in the public trust and committed to a philosophy of continual institutional growth.
A color photo of the Gloria Dei Church steeple during a sunset in Philadelphia.
Photo by NPS Photo
A color photo of the Gloria Dei Church yard showing tombstones with the church in the background.
Photo by NPS Photo
A color photo of the interior of Gloria Dei Church showing the pulpit and a stained glass window.
Photo by NPS Photo
A color photo of a model tall ship hanging inside Gloria Die Church.
Photo by Library of Congress Photo
A 19th century photograph of the Gloria Dei Church, with the cemetery in the foreground.
Photo by Library of Congress Photo