Swedish Baptist Church

The Swedish Baptist Church, now known as the Baptist General Conference, originated in 1879 as a denomination for Swedish immigrants in the American Midwest. Founded by Gustaf Palmquist, the first Swedish Baptist Church was established in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1852. Initially supported by American Baptist societies, the Swedish Baptists eventually became self-supporting.1

After World War I, English gradually replaced Swedish in worship services, and the church opened its membership to non-Swedes. The Baptist General Conference is considered theologically conservative, respecting individual differences in belief. It operates Bethel College and Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and holds an annual general conference. Baptists generally adhere to six core convictions: the authority of the Bible, believer's baptism by immersion, churches composed solely of believers, equality of all Christians, independence of the local church, and the separation of church and state.12