Andreas Rudman
Encyclopedia
Andreas Rudman was a pioneer Swedish-American Lutheran minister. He was pastor of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church and was appointed Suffragan bishop of the Lutheran Church in America.
, Gästrikland
Province, Sweden
, the son of Johan Augustison Rudolph and Magdalen Nilsdotter. After completing his studies and securing a degree at the University of Uppsala, he was ordained into the Church of Sweden
.
to serve the Swedish Lutheran congregations in the former colony of New Sweden
. In late July 1696, Rudman and fellow Lutheran pastor Eric Björk left Stockholm
on the ship Palmboom, destined for London
. Arriving in London in early October 1696, Rudman and his party called on William Penn
, Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania
.
Rudman and Björk were aboarded the ship Jeffries which anchored in the James River
in Virginia
in June 1697. They subsequently arrived at the Swedish settlement located at the Head of Elk (present Elkton, Maryland
). The Swedes had established an early trading post at this location which they called Sahakitko. Rudman and Björk next met with the congretation at Wicaco (now South Philadelphia
) and with the congregation at Crane Hook. Rudman, as the senior pastor, chose the Wicaco congregation as his own. Björk became pastor at the church, then located at Crane Hook now Holy Trinity Church (Old Swedes)
.
It was evident that the old, dilapidated log churches were not adequate for the congregations that they served. It was therefore decided to replace them with new stone and brick edifices. The congregation led by Björk, soon agreed to build its new church at Christina (present Wilmington, Delaware
). Rudman's congregation selected the Wicaco site in Philadelphia. For the next two years, Rudman labored hard to bring the new church into being at Wicaco. The church was sufficiently finished to permit its formal consecration during June 1700. The new church was christened Gloria Dei, now Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church.
In October 1701, Rudman secured an order from William Penn setting aside 10000 acres (40 km²) up the Schuylkill River, near Manatawny Creek, for members of his congregation. The resulting settlement in Amity Township
, originally known as Morlatton Village, now Douglassville, Pennsylvania
, later became the location of St. Gabriel's (Old Swedes) Church, founded in 1720.
Rudman subsequently wrote to Sweden, asking that he be replaced. When his replacement, Andreas Sandel, arrived in 1702, Rudman was persuaded to serve as pastor of the Dutch Lutheran Church in New York City
. After a year in New York, Rudman decided he could not continue due to his health problems. He therefore recruited his own replacement Justus Falckner
, whom he ordained at Gloria Dei in November 1703. On February 23, 1704, King Carl XII of Sweden
, issued an order formally confirming Rudman as Suffragan bishop
of the Lutheran Churches in America.
Rudman remained in Philadelphia, spending part of his time writing a history of the Swedish church at Wicaco, which is still preserved in the records of Gloria Dei. In addition, he assumed the pastorate of Trinity Church in Oxford Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
. In 1707, he added the pastorate at Christ Church, Philadelphia, to his responsibilities during the absence of its regular minister.
on land her husband had acquired in 1708 from her brother, Peter Mattson, Jr. She died on September 5, 1736.
Background
Anders Rudman was born in GävleGävle
Gävle is a city in Sweden, the seat of Gävle Municipality and the capital of Gävleborg County. It had 71,033 inhabitants in 12/31 2010. It is the oldest city in the historical Norrland , having received its charter in 1446 from Christopher of Bavaria.-History:It is believed that the name Gävle...
, Gästrikland
Gästrikland
' is a historical province or landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden. It borders Uppland, Västmanland, Dalarna, Hälsingland and the Gulf of Bothnia. Gästrikland is the southernmost of the Norrland provinces....
Province, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, the son of Johan Augustison Rudolph and Magdalen Nilsdotter. After completing his studies and securing a degree at the University of Uppsala, he was ordained into the Church of Sweden
Church of Sweden
The Church of Sweden is the largest Christian church in Sweden. The church professes the Lutheran faith and is a member of the Porvoo Communion. With 6,589,769 baptized members, it is the largest Lutheran church in the world, although combined, there are more Lutherans in the member churches of...
.
Career
In February 1696, Rudman was selected to lead the delegation being sent by King Charles XI of SwedenCharles XI of Sweden
Charles XI also Carl, was King of Sweden from 1660 until his death, in a period in Swedish history known as the Swedish empire ....
to serve the Swedish Lutheran congregations in the former colony of New Sweden
New Sweden
New Sweden was a Swedish colony along the Delaware River on the Mid-Atlantic coast of North America from 1638 to 1655. Fort Christina, now in Wilmington, Delaware, was the first settlement. New Sweden included parts of the present-day American states of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania....
. In late July 1696, Rudman and fellow Lutheran pastor Eric Björk left Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
on the ship Palmboom, destined for London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Arriving in London in early October 1696, Rudman and his party called on William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
, Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania
Province of Pennsylvania
The Province of Pennsylvania, also known as Pennsylvania Colony, was founded in British America by William Penn on March 4, 1681 as dictated in a royal charter granted by King Charles II...
.
Rudman and Björk were aboarded the ship Jeffries which anchored in the James River
James River
The James River may refer to:Rivers in the United States and their namesakes* James River * James River , North Dakota, South Dakota* James River * James River * James River...
in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in June 1697. They subsequently arrived at the Swedish settlement located at the Head of Elk (present Elkton, Maryland
Elkton, Maryland
The town of Elkton is the county seat of Cecil County, Maryland, United States. The population was 11,893 as of the 2000 census and 14,842 according to current July 2008 census estimates. It is the county seat of Cecil County...
). The Swedes had established an early trading post at this location which they called Sahakitko. Rudman and Björk next met with the congretation at Wicaco (now South Philadelphia
South Philadelphia
South Philadelphia, nicknamed South Philly, is the section of Philadelphia bounded by South Street to the north, the Delaware River to the east and south, and the Schuylkill River to the west.-History:...
) and with the congregation at Crane Hook. Rudman, as the senior pastor, chose the Wicaco congregation as his own. Björk became pastor at the church, then located at Crane Hook now Holy Trinity Church (Old Swedes)
Holy Trinity Church (Old Swedes)
Holy Trinity Church, also known as Old Swedes is a church in Wilmington, Delaware that is a National Historic Landmark. It was dedicated on July 4, 1699.-History:...
.
It was evident that the old, dilapidated log churches were not adequate for the congregations that they served. It was therefore decided to replace them with new stone and brick edifices. The congregation led by Björk, soon agreed to build its new church at Christina (present Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
). Rudman's congregation selected the Wicaco site in Philadelphia. For the next two years, Rudman labored hard to bring the new church into being at Wicaco. The church was sufficiently finished to permit its formal consecration during June 1700. The new church was christened Gloria Dei, now Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church.
In October 1701, Rudman secured an order from William Penn setting aside 10000 acres (40 km²) up the Schuylkill River, near Manatawny Creek, for members of his congregation. The resulting settlement in Amity Township
Amity Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Amity Township is a township in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,867 at the 2000 census. The 2005 census estimate put the population at 11,067...
, originally known as Morlatton Village, now Douglassville, Pennsylvania
Douglassville, Pennsylvania
Douglassville is a community in Amity, Union Townships, and Douglass Townships Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. Douglassville is situated along U.S. Route 422. Developments include the Amity Gardens subdivision, the West Ridge subdivision, the Briarwood subdivision, and the subdivision...
, later became the location of St. Gabriel's (Old Swedes) Church, founded in 1720.
Rudman subsequently wrote to Sweden, asking that he be replaced. When his replacement, Andreas Sandel, arrived in 1702, Rudman was persuaded to serve as pastor of the Dutch Lutheran Church in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. After a year in New York, Rudman decided he could not continue due to his health problems. He therefore recruited his own replacement Justus Falckner
Justus Falckner
Justus Falckner was a Lutheran minister and the first Lutheran pastor to be ordained within the United States. He is commemorated in the Calendar of Saints of the Lutheran Church on November 24 together with Jehu Jones and William Passavant.-Background:Falckner was the fourth son of Daniel...
, whom he ordained at Gloria Dei in November 1703. On February 23, 1704, King Carl XII of Sweden
Charles XII of Sweden
Charles XII also Carl of Sweden, , Latinized to Carolus Rex, Turkish: Demirbaş Şarl, also known as Charles the Habitué was the King of the Swedish Empire from 1697 to 1718...
, issued an order formally confirming Rudman as Suffragan bishop
Suffragan bishop
A suffragan bishop is a bishop subordinate to a metropolitan bishop or diocesan bishop. He or she may be assigned to an area which does not have a cathedral of its own.-Anglican Communion:...
of the Lutheran Churches in America.
Rudman remained in Philadelphia, spending part of his time writing a history of the Swedish church at Wicaco, which is still preserved in the records of Gloria Dei. In addition, he assumed the pastorate of Trinity Church in Oxford Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Oxford Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Oxford Township, is a defunct township that was located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. The township ceased to exist and was incorporated into the City of Philadelphia following the passage of the Act of Consolidation, 1854.-History:...
. In 1707, he added the pastorate at Christ Church, Philadelphia, to his responsibilities during the absence of its regular minister.
Personal life
Rudman became mortally ill during September 1708 and was buried in the floor of the church in front of the altar. Rudman's will named his wife Elisabeth executrix and made bequests to his two surviving children, Magdalena and Anna Catharine. His widow lived on the Schuylkill RiverSchuylkill River
The Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
on land her husband had acquired in 1708 from her brother, Peter Mattson, Jr. She died on September 5, 1736.
Other sources
- Hotchkin, Rev. S. F Early Clergy of Pennsylvania And Delaware (Philadelphia, PA: P. W. Ziegler & Co. 1890)