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National Historic Site · Pennsylvania

Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site

National Historic Site in Pennsylvania. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Historic Site
StatePennsylvania
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkShenandoah (197 mi)
Closest airportPHL (7 mi)
A color photo of the Gloria Dei Church steeple during a sunset in Philadelphia.
The church building at Gloria Dei 'Old Swedes' has been in use since 1700, making it the oldest church building in Pennsylvania and the second oldest in the United States. The steeple was completed in 1703. Photo: NPS Photo

Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site is a national historic site run by the National Park Service in Pennsylvania.

In the park service’s words

Before Pennsylvania there was New Sweden. Discover this last historic link to a forgotten past. Visit the church's pastoral surroundings and its burial ground of patriots and ordinary citizens alike.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Find the Gravesites of Revolutionary War Soldiers (5 to 30 Minutes): Locate the gravestones of Revolutionary War soldiers at Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site. Explore the churchyard virtually from home, or pick up a map at the church door and take a stroll through the grounds.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 5:00AM - 11:00PM. NOTE: The church grounds are closed from 11PM to 5AM.

Getting there

The Gloria Dei Church is accessed from Christian Street in South Philadelphia. As in any city, use your street smarts and do not leave any valuables visible in your car. Several SEPTA bus routes serve the vicinity of the site. Visit the website for more information.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) Philadelphia, PA No road route 7 Large hub
Trenton Mercer Airport (TTN) Ewing Township, NJ No road route 29 Regional
Wilmington Airport (ILG) Wilmington, DE No road route 30 Regional

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Weather

Summers are typically hot and muggy, fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is cold. Snowfall is highly variable, with some winters bringing only light snow and others bringing several major snowstorms, with the normal seasonal snowfall standing at 22.4 in (57 cm). Precipitation is generally spread throughout the year, with eight to twelve wet days per month.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 197 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site?

No entrance fee.

Where is Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site?

In Pennsylvania. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Philadelphia International Airport, about 7 miles away.

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