October 16, 1801 - Jonathan Brady died. Aged above 60 He had been ailing many years with rheumatic pains & consequential infirmities;particularly in the back. But was seldom bedsick, & had til with 6 mths been able to saw wood sometimes. The 27 of July last he entered the Bettering house, grew weaker, so as hardly able to walk, & died without confinement or senpolsickness. He and his wife are of Irish race and not akin to Sweedes. But as they had been educated by Swedes in Ridley .
October 1950 - The much heralded ‘Parish Car’ which turns out to be a Station Wagon arrived this week in quite the right time for heavy parish duties.
During September the concrete retaining wall on Swanson Street and to the north of the rectory was poured. Mrs. Charles P. Blinn’s joint committee of Women’s Organizations are making possible this great improvement.
The Revolutionary Corner to the south of the graveyard has been landscaped and seeded. The stones of Revolutionary Officers will be erected on this site in the Spring. The Penna. Chapter of the Daughters of Founders and Patriots are sponsoring this lovely tribute to the men of the Revolution.
October 1969 - Rise Up ye, Dead
So reads the document in the hand of the beautifully carved and chromed angel St. Gabriel sent to us last June from Gothenburg. Since its arrival in the Church suspended from the center of the apse. The entire statement on the document reads,
“Rise up ye Dead - Come to Judgment”. How timely Advent is just around the corner.
History of Our Bell - as complied by Henry Darrach, Esq. February 1, 1911
The Bell of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) Church, Swanson Below Christian, Philadelphia
(Inscription on bell)
“Cast for the Swedish Church in Philad’a. stiled Gloria Dei,”
“G. Hedderly Fecit 1806. Partly from the old bell dated 1643.”
“I to the Church the living call and to the grave do summons all.”
(Note - taken from bell Jany.22,1911 Thomas Bleyler, Phila.)
Remarks
The inscription on the bell states “Partly from the old bell dated 1643”. To locate the “Old Bell” it is safe to state that it was not first used at its present location, Philadelphia (Originally called Wiccaco). The first church at Wiccaco was not built until many years after 1643 and he second church at or near the same location being the present Gloria Dei Church was completed and dedicated July 2, 1700, (should be June 2nd, 1700 (Rev. Snyder B. Simmes stated from the pulpit Jan. 19th, 1913 that Trinity Sunday 1700 fell on May 26th. So 1st Sunday after Trinity would be June 2d.) at which time it was without a bell. (Clay’s Annals)
The bell, by the inscription, was recast and enlarged in 1806. One of the reasons given for its recasting was to change the disagreeable sound caused by too much silver being in its composition.
The “Old Bell” dated 1643 came from Tinnicum (now called Essington on the west side of the Delaware river north of Darby Creek) which was the principal settlement of the third Swedish governor, John Printz, who arrived February 15, 1643. At this place he built a fort, mansion &c. also a church. (The bell was brought over in the Fama in 1644 T. Bleyler)
The bell, is supposed, to have been first used by the Tinnicum Church in 1646, unless an earlier church was in existence at that place, and continued to be in use at that church until 1700 when, it is said, the Swedish Congregation left Tinnicum and united with the Gloria Dei Church and at this date it is supposed the bell was removed from Tinnicum to Philadelphia.
Historical References - Hazard page 89 refers to the Church viz; “A decent wooden church which had been built on Tinnicum was with the burying place this day, Sept 4, 1646, consecrated by the Rev. John Campanius, who, it will be recollected came out with Governor Printz. This we believe, is the first church mentioned: (as to Tinnicum). It is probable the worship prior to that time, had been conducted either in a part of the governor’s mansion, or in some temporary building, or perhaps a former building may have been destroyed by the fire last year” (Nov. 25 (Dec 5) 1645). After Governor Printz returned to Sweden 1653(1652) his daughter Jeffro Armegot Printz (wife of Lieut. John Papagoija) became the owner of her father’s estate at Tinnicum where she remained until 1673 when, it is said, she returned to Sweden.
Acrelius page 86 states viz; “It is reported that, out of contempt for the Swedes, she (Gov. Printz’s daughter” “Sold with her farm the church (at Tinnicum) which was built upon it, as also a bell, to a Hollander. However that may be, they had to buy their bell back again by two days reaping in harvest time, after Madame Armegot (Printz’s daughter) had gone away. The church was used without hindrance until 1700. Perhaps the bell was not excepted in the bill of sale, the following obligation was given (by Gov. Printz’s daughter who signed it with her maiden name). Copy of the bill of sale…
“Laus Deo May 24, 1673.
“I, the undersigned Armegot Printz, acknowledge to have transferred to the congregation of the adherants of the Augsburg Confession in this place, the bell that has been on Tennakoug (Essington) that they may do therewith what pleases them, and promise to keep them free from all claims that are made. Before the undersigned witnesses given as above.”
His mark
P.K.
Peter Kock
His mark
X
Jonas Nillson
Tombstone Inscriptions -
Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth Gardner
who departed this life September 13th 1864 in the 71st year of her age.
Though my frail heart did oft despair,
With grief and sorrow prest,
I trust in God who heard my prayer
And granted my request.
