It was consecrated on Trinity Sunday, June 4, 1699, by a predominantly Swedish congregation formerly of the colony of New Sweden.

The building materials were local blue granite and Swedish bricks that had been used as ship's ballast.

The church is situated on the site of the Fort Christina's burial ground, which dates to 1638.

[5] In 1697, the Church of Sweden renewed its commitment to Swedish settlers in the Delaware Valley and sent three missionaries, Jonas Auren, Eric Bjork, and Andreas Rudman, to the area.

[6] A total of three churches with similar architecture were built or established by Swedish communities in the area about the same time.