Holstein’s “Swedesford Crossing” is seen here in a sketch from 1828, with the Swedesford inn in the background. (Courtesy of Ed Dybicz.)
Please join the King of Prussia Historical Society on February 13 at 2:00 pm when the Rev. Richard B. Baumann presents “Swedes Along the Delaware and Schuylkill” at Christ Church (Old Swedes) Church Hall.
Following successful military victories in the Thirty Years War in Europe, Sweden joined other nations in the colonial exploitation of the New World. But the colony of “Nya Sverige” lasted only 17 years (1638-1655). This episode of colonial history might have long ago been forgotten, however, remnants of this minuscule enterprise persist even today. Many of these developments occurred long after the Swedes were subsumed by the Dutch, the English and the Penn’s. Swedish settlers continued to come and were accommodated by a small but cohesive community. What kept this little “Swedish Nation” together?
The Rambo Mansion, in Swedesburg, including the Scale House where lime was weighed. The scene is a depiction of everyday life along the Schuylkill River in the 19th century. (Courtesy of Ed Dybicz.)
This presentation will explore some plausible causes in the late 1600’s, the mid 1800’s, and 1957 and the institution responsible: the church.
Our presenter is the Rev. Richard B. Baumann, co-priest in charge of Christ Church (Old Swedes) Upper Merion. He is a social researcher, historian and ordained Lutheran pastor and president of the Lutheran Historical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania. Fr. Baumann has a particular interest in the development of the Lutheran and Episcopal churches in colonial North America, especially those who have blended both traditions.
Christ Church, Old Swedes (1733) as it appeared prior to 1880. (Courtesy of Ed Dybicz.)
He has published a paper on Lutherans and Anglican/Episcopal Conformity in America 1638-1957. He collaborated the Guidebook of Lutheran Historical Sites and Churches in Eastern Pennsylvania 1638-1775. He is a graduate of Carthage College, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He is past president of the Swedish Historical Society of Wisconsin. Fr Baumann has lived and worked in Wisconsin, Florida, Pennsylvania and Hong Kong. Before “retiring” and coming to Christ Church (Old Swedes), he was pastor the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Allentown for 15 years.
When: Saturday, February 13 at 2:00 pm
What: Swedes Along the Delaware and Schuylkill
Who: Rev. Richard B. Baumann, Dipl., BA, MA, M.Div.
Where: Christ Church Old Swedes Hall, 740 River Road, Swedesburg PA 19405 (Directions)
Meetings are free and open to the public.