Arrival of the first Swedish settlers in New Sweden. Early American colonies were primarily established for economic profit, religious freedom, and to expand European political power. Driven by mercantilism, nations aimed to maximize wealth through trade. Settlers also sought escape from poverty, overcrowding, and religious persecution in Europe, aiming to build new lives and societies.

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New Sweden defeated and absorbed into New Netherlands

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Hans Stahl, a lay member of Holy Trinity, Wilmington, was appointed as schoolmaster and lay preacher for the Swedes and Finns in the Racoon (Swedesboro) and Pennsneck areas on the West bank of the Delaware River in what would become New Jersey. The Swedish Church authorities opposed the establishment of a Jersey parish until the debts for the new church buildings on the western side of the Delaware were satisfied.

A young preacher, Lars Tollstadius arrived from Sweden falsely claiming to have been sent as a replacement for a retiring minister, but who lacked any official credentials. Looking to start his own ministry, he befriended the settlers at Racoon and urged the building of a church there.

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Richard Bull surveys 20 acres for “ye Sweeds” at Racoon for establishment of a church. He records the existence of a structure marked “Church" at the time of the survey.

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The site for the first Swedish language church in West Jersey was selected near the new bridge for Kings Highway, which led from Burlington to Salem, and 100 acres were purchased for 12 pounds along the Raccoon Creek. The completion of the section of Kings Highway in the vicinity of Racoon Creek led to accelerated population increase in the area

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A cedar log structure chinked with mud to keep out the cold was dedicated as the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church at Raccoon.

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The congregation of Raccoon and Pennsneck (Pennsville) jointly purchased a plantation (farm) in Pilesgrove, approximately halfway between each, for the use of their shared minister.  Both Churches had been united and were supplied by the same ministers from the time of their formation until the cessation of the Swedish Mission.
 

Rev Peter Tranberg served as Rector at Trinity (1726-1740) during a period of prosperity. A new gallery was built for the log cabin church, and in 

1731, a coin plate, silver chalice, and paten communion set were procured which is still used by the congregation today.

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A dedicated Rectory for the minister at Trinity is built where the new one stands. Residents of Racoon changed the name of the town to Swedesboro. The charter for the "Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church" was granted during the reign of King George III by  William Franklin, governor of the colony of New Jersey. About this time, Trinity began leasing portions of the ground they owned in Swedesboro which many of the town residents continued paying up until the early 1900s

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Rev Nicholas Collin begins preaching at Trinity, the last minister 

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Rev Collin was taken prisoner by militia and accused of being pro-English. He described, "being "under close guard by a strong escort with loaded guns and fixed bayonets, and judging from their barbaric expressions I often expected death"

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​Rev Collin relates, "On the last of February, the American General "Mad" Anthony Wayne passed through here with a detachment of 300 men, of whom the greater part were miserably clothed, some without boots, others without socks. He himself did not arrive until 12 o'clock at night and took up his quarters in my house. Just as he was about to go to bed, the sentries fired warning signals, but nothing happened. He was a well-bred gentleman and showed me great respect. He left the following day, and on the morning at 11 o'clock, a regiment of English infantry came to attack him, but he had then already escaped. "

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British General Cornwallis marched through Racoon on his way to the Battle of Red Bank. He intended to burn down Trinity when he saw clergymen in vestments, similar to those used in the British Anglican Church, conducting a funeral in the old graveyard. Tradition has it that he mistakenly thought the church was the Church of England, and orders his troops to pause their march with bowed heads.

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Rev Nicholas Collin becomes Rector, the last Swedish Minister at Trinity

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Construction of the present church to replace the original 1703 log cabin church, which was in disrepair as a result of occupation by soldiers and of age.  With the new building came the association with the Episcopal Church of America.

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Rev Nicholas Collins departs after overseeing the initial construction and dedication of the church. He is later replaced by Rev John Croes, who had served as a private in the Continental Army and was then ordained as an Episcopal minister. He would later become the first Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey. 

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A bell tower and steeple were added to the rear of the church at a cost of $2941.88. Structural engineers see similarities between the Trinity Church Tower and Independence Hall, designed by William Strickland. Built within 10 years of each other, the towers have an internal pyramid design, with sloping columns connected to horizontal beams by wooden brackets called "ship's knees: as structural elements. 

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H.R.H. Prince Bertil of Sweden dedicated a bronze tablet on the rear wall in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the Swedes in the Delaware Valley. Also presented an old Swedish Bible, which is on display in the church.

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King Carl XVI  Gustav of Sweden visits Swedesboro and Trinity Church in honor of America's Bicentennial.  A small plot of land in the Trinity Cemetery is dedicated as New Sweden Park and marks the exact location of the original Swedish log church. 

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