QUEEN VILLAGE – A neighborhood in South Philadelphia. Historically, it is said that the area was named Wiccaco, or ‘pleasant place’ and was named by the Lenni Lenape Indian Tribe. Later, the area became a Swedish settlement long before the founding of Philadelphia in 1682. William Penn changed the name of Wiccaco to Southwark, after a similarly situated neighborhood on the south bank of the Thames in London.

In the late 1970s, Southwark was renamed Queen Village after Queen Christina of Sweden, to recognize her role in promoting the original settlements. A prominent landmark from the original Swedish settlement is Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church. Completed in 1700, the impressive brick church between Christian Street and Washington Avenue is constructed in the Flemish Bond style, alternating red and black header bricks. After serving as the Swedish Lutheran Church for more than 150 years, it has been a part of the Episcopal Church since 1845. It is the oldest church in Pennsylvania.