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August 17, 2015

North Park University Receives Grant to Preserve Records of First Swedish Church in Chicago

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North Park University Receives Grant to Preserve Records of First Swedish Church in Chicago

St. Ansgarius

CHICAGO (August 17, 2015) — The Swedish Council of America recently awarded North Park University and Archivist Anna-Kajsa Anderson a $3,500 grant for the St. Ansgarius Records Conservation and Digitization project.

St. Ansgarius Church was the first Swedish congregation in Chicago, an Episcopal church established in 1849 in what is now the River North neighborhood. Its records from the years 1849-1896 are held by the archives in North Park University’s Brandel Library as part of the Swedish-American Archives of Greater Chicago. These records are significant to both the city of Chicago and Scandinavian American history for the role the church played in the fledgling immigrant community and because of their survival of the great Chicago Fire of 1871.

The fragile records are currently restricted from public use until they receive conservation treatment covered in part by the SCA grant.

“We are so grateful for the support of the Swedish Council of America, as it helps to not only ensure the preservation of these unique and important records, but also greatly increase their accessibility,” Anderson said.

Archives staff will make digital images of the records produced by this project freely available online through its website. The archives is also working with the Center for Scandinavian Studies at North Park University, the Swedish-American Historical Society, and the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago to develop events for next year, which will include a symposium, an exhibition of the St. Ansgarius Church records, and a Eucharist service.

The images above of St. Ansgarius are courtesy of the Swedish-American Archives of Greater Chicago.

Since 1975, the Swedish Council of America has made 352 grants to museums, schools, language camps, art galleries, archives, theaters, libraries, musical groups, lodges, festivals, language camps, genealogical societies, and dozens of other organizations, all with an eye to preserving Swedish heritage or promoting Swedish culture to an ever-wider audience.

North Park University was founded in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), a denomination formed by Swedish immigrants. North Park University maintains a connection to its Swedish and Scandinavian roots through academic programs and other cultural exchanges.

 

 


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