Bible Translators Theologians Reorus Torkillus (1608–1643) was priest of the Church of Sweden and the first Lutheran clergyman to settle in what would become the United States.
[2] Torkillus sailed with the second expedition of Swedish settlers to New Sweden, aboard the Kalmar Nyckel.
Initially, Torkillus officiated at church services held in a blockhouse at Fort Christina.
Torkillus died at Fort Christina in 1643 and was succeeded in his pastorship to the New Sweden colonists by John Campanius.
It was built from local blue granite and Swedish bricks that had been used as ship's ballast on the site of the Fort Christina's burial ground.