History: The twentieth century at Trinity

By the end of the 19th century, many things had changed in Trinity Church from the original "layout". As mentioned in previous articles, the center aisle was removed and replaced with two side aisles which allowed additional seating. In 1899 the organ was removed from the gallery to the right, front corner of the church, under the balcony. A row of pews in the balcony was removed as well as the flooring to allow the pipes and sound to be effective. Cost of this work was $77! (Due to the ineffectiveness of the organ sound in its new location, it was returned to the balcony within 3 years.) As the 1900 photo shows, the pipes were elaborately decorated in Victorian style and the woodwork in the entire church was "natural". In addition electricity and corresponding lighting fixtures, at 16 candle power, were installed the same year. A new altar, which remains today, was placed in the chancel by the Guild in memory of Rev. George Watson in 1900.

Vestry Minutes note that in 1902 the rector, Dr. Sutton, asked the Vestry "to arrange a celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the founding of the church on this site some time this coming Fall and to make some arrangements to pay off the debt at that time". As part of the celebration, a new pulpit, (now the lectern in the Parish House) kneeling desk and Bishop's Chair were purchased for the chancel. In its article entitled ‘Bi-Centennial Celebration; A notable Epoch in the History of Swedesboro and its Old Parish", the October 1902 Swedesboro News comments that "looking round the church we observed the handsome new velvet carpet just laid down and American and Swedish flags, the latter is very large". Many important people attended this celebration including the Mayor, Bishop Scarborough and the Vice Consul of Sweden and Norway.
1907 Vestry Minutes reported in October that "9 of the horse sheds had blown over breaking 4 grave stones". The "committee set a day to rebuild 4 or 5 sheds using old lumber as far as possible". These horse sheds were located immediately behind the bell tower and are shown in several photos and paintings of the church. They were completely removed by the mid 1930s and the area is now used for new grave sites.

A close look at the 1900 photo shows stenciling along the walls as well as on the arch and area over the altar. The existing door to the sacristy is almost invisible even when seen close up in the original photographs. This was soon to change to a Classical Revival style. At the July 1911 meeting, a motion was passed by the Vestry to repair and redecorate the interior according to the Strawbridge and Clothier plans. Estimate for this work was $1,600. The work was completed by February 29, 1912 and the Vestry voted to thank Trinity Guild for the "very excellent and artistic way in which they have had the church re-decorated." A description of the work was included in the records: "The entire interior painted; woodwork ivory white, walls brownish yellow. New wood classical columns and arch over altar also wood window frames instead of painted over as before." The area behind the altar had a framed canvas panel and partitioned curtain and there was Greek Key stenciling above the wainscoting. In addition a new heater was installed in the cellar. In 1921 the present pulpit was dedicated. This same year, the chancel rail was installed in a location further forward than its predecessor, the "eagle" lectern was placed in its present location and new lights were installed under the balconies. (Plates covering these fixtures can still be seen.)

The 1930s decade is the most well documented period in the history of the church. Measured drawings, (Historic American Building Survey) numerous photographs and several narratives about the history and appearance of the church were produced. Portions of the information were published in Colonial Churches and Meeting Houses; Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware and The Journal and Biography of Nicholas Collin. By 1935 the new reredos had been installed, and the stained glass window raised higher to accommodate it. In 1938 the New Jersey Tercentenary commemorated the 300th anniversary of the settlement by the Swedes and Finns on the Delaware and "Old Swedes" played a major role in the festivities. Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and Crown Princess Louise made a visit to the United State in June. The brass plaque placed on the back wall of the church commemorates the event.

The third major set of improvements to "Old Swedes" occurred during 1947. Ivy was removed from the tower, worn wooden pillars were replaced on the exterior side doorways and two new key blocks were fastened over the doors. The interior floor was strengthened, screen doors and window screens repaired and hung and four inch wooden beams were placed under each pew for support. Broken slates were replaced, the iron fence was repaired and welded, cracked sidewalks were replaced and the woodwork painted. In 1953, "Old Swedes" celebrated its 250th anniversary with celebrations of special services, speakers and Swedish visitors.

In 1964, New Sweden Park was dedicated within Trinity Cemetery and the monument placed to mark the site of the first log cabin church. Preparations for the visit of King Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden in 1976 were the only work done in the 1970s. At that time the bicentennial monument to commemorate his visit was placed in the front of the church. The slate roof was replaced in 1984. All this lead to our next major project in the 1990s, and the topic of our next article….Raising the Roof