Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 212, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 September 1913 — HISTORIANS ON PILGRIMAGE. [ARTICLE]

HISTORIANS ON PILGRIMAGE.

Visit 3cene of Early Swedish Town In Berks County. Reading. Pa. —Nearly one hundred members of the Historical Society of Berks county accompanied a pilgrimage to Douglass ville, to visit the ancient Swedish setlememt of Morlatton. The historians held a special session in the old St, Gabriel’s P. E. church rganization in Berks county, by Louis Ricsards, president of the society. At this place was started the first church organization in Berks county, even prior to the date of 1693, for on this date the Swedish settlers wrote a letter to John Thelln, postmaster at Goethborg, Sweden, asking for two ministers. Between 1997 and 1701 the Swedes erected a log church. In 1786 another church was erected, which stood until 1831, when it was destroyed by fire. In 1762 and 1763 the Lutheran Swedes turned to the Episcopalians, who erected a church in 1801 which is still standing, and some 20 years ago erected the present St. Gabriel’s Church, on the site where the first Swedish church stood. The historians also visited the Mounce Jones home, erected In 1716, the oldest house in Berks county today. The White Horse Tavern and the Black Horse Inn came in for a short vdsU.