Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) Church

The site of the Gloria Dei Church, known by the Native American name, Wicaco (meaning 'a peaceful place'), was given to the Swedish church by Sven Svenson. In 1666 a blockhouse had been built on this site, and in 1677 the blockhouse was modified to become the first church.

Construction of the present day church began in 1698 and under the Charter of Privileges the Swedish Church continued to thrive in Penn's colony where religious tolerance was law.