Episode Overview

In this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, host Stephen Nichols turns the spotlight on Delaware, one of the "middle colonies" often overlooked in discussions of American church history. Nichols explores the unique blend of political and religious influences that shaped Delaware, focusing on its traditions of religious freedom and the historical churches that tell its story. The episode aims to highlight why Delaware deserves attention in the larger narrative of colonial church history.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Colonial Context and Political Shifts

• Dutch and Swedish Presence (1614-1660s):
  • Dutch initially controlled much of the region.
  • Swedish settlers established their own colony, New Sweden, within these territories.
• English Takeover (1660s):
  • English gained control, reshaping political and religious landscapes.
  • Delaware was initially part of William Penn’s Pennsylvania.

2. William Penn and Religious Freedom (1682)

• Significance of 1682:
  • “This is the year that William Penn wrote his frame of government.” [00:22]
• Unique Framework:
  • Penn’s “Frame of Government” established a bicameral legislature: a governor and council, and an assembly elected by freedmen.
• Religious Liberty (Direct Quote):
  • “All persons living in this province who confess and acknowledge the one almighty and eternal God to be the creator, upholder and ruler of the world, and that hold themselves obliged in conscience to live peace and justly in civil society, shall in no ways be molested or prejudiced for their religious persuasion or practice in matters of faith and worship, nor shall they be compelled at any time to frequent or maintain any religious worship place or ministry whatever.” [01:09]
• Distinctiveness:
  • This marked a sharp departure from the theocracies in Puritan New England and the Anglican-controlled southern colonies, cementing religious diversity in the middle colonies, including Delaware.

3. Emmanuel Church on the Green (New Castle, Delaware)

• Founding and Influence:
  • “We have Emmanuel Church on the green in Newcastle. This was started by Anglican missionaries, and they built a church that became a rather prominent church in the 1700s and also during the Revolutionary War era.” [02:06]
• Revolutionary Loyalty:
  • Most Anglicans were Loyalists, but there was one notable exception:
    • George Reed: “He would go on to be a signer of the Declaration of Independence.” [02:29]

4. Old Swedes Church (1698) & Swedish Roots

• Swedish Foundations:
  • The New Sweden Company established a colony in 1638 on the Delaware River.
• Transitions of Power:
  • Dutch overtook the Swedes in 1655; English soon followed, but Swedish settlers remained.
• Old Swedes Church:
  • “The building is still standing and it has been in continuous use for church services since the time it was built.” [03:38]
  • Originally Lutheran; became Episcopalian in the 1850s.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Delaware’s unique religious character:
  “This was unique among the Puritan New England colonies, the Anglican controlled southern colonies. And so the middle colonies would have this flavorful of religious freedom.” — Stephen Nichols [01:48]

• On the legacy of Old Swedes Church:
  “The building is still standing and it has been in continuous use for church services since the time it was built.” — Stephen Nichols [03:38]

• On George Reed’s exceptionality:
  “During Revolutionary times, it was typical for Anglicans to trend more Loyalist. And that was true of the congregation there at Emanuel Church, except for one standout, and that would be George Reed, who would go on to be a signer of the Declaration of Independence.” — Stephen Nichols [02:23]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:07] — Introduction & focus on Delaware’s church history
• [00:22] — 1682: William Penn writes the Frame of Government
• [01:09] — Penn’s declaration of religious freedom (notable quote)
• [02:06] — Emmanuel Church on the Green and its Revolutionary-era significance
• [02:29] — George Reed’s unique role as a signer of the Declaration
• [03:16] — Delaware’s Swedish-era Old Swedes Church
• [03:38] — Historical continuity and denominational changes of Old Swedes Church

Conclusion

Stephen Nichols draws attention to Delaware’s rich but often neglected church history, tracing its religious and political diversity from Dutch and Swedish roots, through English conquest, to its distinct culture of religious freedom under William Penn. By spotlighting key sites like Emmanuel Church and Old Swedes Church, Nichols sets Delaware firmly on the map of American church heritage, promising to share even more in the next episode.