Gloria Dei Strangers' Burial Ground
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Gloria Dei Strangers' Burial Ground

Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA

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  • Get directions Second Street Below Christian
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147 USA
    Coordinates: 39.93517, -75.14617
  • This cemetery is marked as being historical or removed.
  • No longer accepting burials
  • Cemetery ID:

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In the year 1700, shortly after the new and still-present building of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church was consecrated, the congregation received additional bequests of land to the west of its property. A small portion of the land was set aside to be used as an auxiliary graveyard, while other portions were rented out or sold off to small farmers and householders and eventually built upon in the growing city of Philadelphia.


There are strong indications that the burial ground was first opened mainly to accommodate the victims of the yellow fever epidemics of 1797 and 1798. Entrances the ground were south from Christian Street, through White Bread Place (now Mascher Street) and east from Second Street, just below Christian, through Little Belt Place (now Salter Street).


Throughout the early 19th century, the burial ground was used for strangers -- those not of the Swedish Lutheran faith. Two congregations of The United Swedish Lutheran Churches in Pennsylvania -- Saint James Kingsessing, and Christ Church Upper Merion -- also maintained an interest in the ground.


In June, 1873, Gloria Dei and the other United Churches sold the old burial ground to Thomas Sparks, owner of the famous shot tower adjoining the burial ground to the south, for use as a "depository for chattels belong to or connected with the business." Supposedly, the gravestones were removed around that time, and the caskets were dug up and relocated to another cemetery. In 1907, however, it was observed that the tops of three tombstones were still visible above ground.


Today, a portion of the Shot Tower Recreation Center occupies the site.

In the year 1700, shortly after the new and still-present building of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church was consecrated, the congregation received additional bequests of land to the west of its property. A small portion of the land was set aside to be used as an auxiliary graveyard, while other portions were rented out or sold off to small farmers and householders and eventually built upon in the growing city of Philadelphia.


There are strong indications that the burial ground was first opened mainly to accommodate the victims of the yellow fever epidemics of 1797 and 1798. Entrances the ground were south from Christian Street, through White Bread Place (now Mascher Street) and east from Second Street, just below Christian, through Little Belt Place (now Salter Street).


Throughout the early 19th century, the burial ground was used for strangers -- those not of the Swedish Lutheran faith. Two congregations of The United Swedish Lutheran Churches in Pennsylvania -- Saint James Kingsessing, and Christ Church Upper Merion -- also maintained an interest in the ground.


In June, 1873, Gloria Dei and the other United Churches sold the old burial ground to Thomas Sparks, owner of the famous shot tower adjoining the burial ground to the south, for use as a "depository for chattels belong to or connected with the business." Supposedly, the gravestones were removed around that time, and the caskets were dug up and relocated to another cemetery. In 1907, however, it was observed that the tops of three tombstones were still visible above ground.


Today, a portion of the Shot Tower Recreation Center occupies the site.

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  • Added: 13 May 2023
  • Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2777754