From collection Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Company Collection
Swedish Lutheran Church, New Sweden, ME 32.
A view of the Swedish Lutheran Church in New Sweden, Maine. The vernacular Gothic Revival structure was built 1879-1880 as The First Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Curch. Before its construction the congregation had been meeting in the Kapitolerium next door under the leadership of fellow immigrant Pastor Andrew Wiren. In 1896 the parish chose to rename itself for King Gustalvus Adolphus of Sweden. The colony's originator and facilitator, and a friend of the townspeople, William Widgery Thomas, Jr., donated the bell for the tower upon completion of the building in 1880. Later images show the addition of an enclosed gabled entryway at the door end, and applied wooden trim work on the tower. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its cultural, religious and architectural significance.
