From the Historical Collections of the State of Pennsylvania containing a copious selection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, etc relating to the History and Antiquities, both general and local with Topographical Descriptions of every county and all the larger towns in the state. By Sherman Day and entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1843, by George W. Gorton, in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of Pennsylvania.
In 1765, the Swedish churches of Upper Merion, Wicaco, Kingsessing, were unitedly incorporated by John Penn, and this original charter was amended and confirmed by the commonwealth in 1787.
The church called Christ church, occupies a lovely and picturesque knoll, shaded with tall trees, and overlooking the beautiful Schuylkill, about a mile below Norristown, on the right bank. A quiet hamlet surrounds it, inhabited by the descendants of the ancient Swedes. They still cling together, and although the Swedish and Episcopal clergy minister interchangeable, with the same ritual, yet the Swedish churches are governed by their own ancient laws, and the Control of the property is held by those of Swedish descent, wither in direct line or by marriage. The Swedes, like ducks, always had a predilection for the water, they never settled far in the interior, and in the early days, they made free use of their canoes for going to church, and in the ordinary intercourse with neighboring settlements. Major Holsteins grandmother, who lived at Morlatton, above Pottstown, when married, came down to the church with her wedding party, all in their canoes. In later days, during the revolution, the women travelled on horseback, and wore “safeguard petticoats,” which, when they alighted, they took off and hung along the fence.
