Ruth D. Nelson Collection

Name/Title

Ruth D. Nelson Collection

Entry/Object ID

2025.6.1

Scope and Content

This is a collection of archival documents relating to Salem Lutheran Church.

Context

Organized in 1868, Salem was the oldest Swedish Lutheran congregation serving on the South Side of Chicago. From 1870 to 1885, the congregation worshipped in a building located on Bushnell Street (now 23rd Place) on lots donated by members of Immanuel. In 1885 the congregation moved to the east side of Princeton Avenue, between 28th and 29th Streets. In 1922 the congregation moved to 74th Street and Calumet Avenue, at 318 E. 74th Street in the Park Manor neighborhood on the South Side. The church building was architecturally inspired by the 12th century Cistercian abbey in Varnhem, Sweden. When the neighborhood began to change, Salem was one of the few successful attempts to integrate a racially changing metropolitan area.

Acquisition

Accession

2025.6

Source or Donor

Ruth D. Nelson

Acquisition Method

Gift

Lexicon

LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials

Centennial celebrations

Search Terms

Notes, Calendar, Service Book, Letter, Pamphlet

Archive Details

Creator

Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church

Date(s) of Creation

1955 - 2000

Archive Size/Extent

1 folder of material

Primary Language

English, Swedish

Copyright

Copyright Details

Ownership was legally transferred to the Swedish American Museum per the gift agreement. Certain works may be protected by copyright not governed by the Swedish American Museum.

Reproductions

Notes

Reproduction of the Museum's archives for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires written permission.