In the charming small town of Swedesboro lies Mortonson–Van Leer Log Cabin (“Schorn Log Cabin”) and the Trinity Episcopal Church (“Old Swedes Church”) are two of the state’s oldest structures. With a cute little downtown district, delicious food, and a lot of Swedish-Finnish history inside the boundary lines, it’s no surprise that Swedesboro is one of the most charming small towns in New Jersey.
The Schorn Log Cabin was built by Morton Mortenson, a Swedish-Finnish man, prior to 1750.
LittleGun, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons During the 1800s, the cabin was owned by the Van Leer family and used as a safe space for slaves to find solace.
Initially, the cabin was situated on Raccoon Creek and has since been donated to the Gloucester County Historical Society.
FLHarlock/Tripadvisor The Historical Society restored and relocated the Schorn Cabin to the Trinity Episcopal Church in 1989, which is where it stands to this day.
Ironically, the Trinity Episcopal “Old Swedes” Church was built as a log cabin chapel in 1703.
Bill Kemp/Google Local Decades later, in 1783, the church was rebuilt in the building it is today.
The structure of the church has gone through many renovations over the years to ensure functionality and also to preserve the past.
Michael Smolensky/Google Local
After checking out Schorn Cabin and Old Swedes Church, you’ll have plenty of time to fill the rest of your day exploring downtown Swedesboro.
Doug Kerr/Flickr There are more historical buildings to admire from the outside, but you’ll definitely want to stop in at some of the food spots.
Botto’s Italian Line Restaurant has a lounge, dining room, patio, and an atmosphere that will take you to the Italian Riviera.
Botto’s Italian Line Restaurant/Facebook
Botto’s menu is full of authentic Italian cuisine including a variety of pasta dishes, salads, soups, and appetizers.
Botto’s Italian Line Restaurant/Facebook The butcher block lamb chops are a crowd favorite, and the restaurant is known for its sausage, so make sure someone at the table gets a sausage dish. Find the full restaurant menu here.
Swedesboro Pastry Shoppe has been open since 2007, and the town’s sweet tooth hasn’t been the same ever since.
Erik Cross/Google Local The shop was created by long-time bakers, Jack Fromach and Karen Morrison, who are passionate about providing high-quality sweets.
The pastry shop has won awards for “Best Bakery in Gloucester County”.
William DiAntonio/Google Local Whether it’s pies, cupcakes, or cream puffs; You name it, this shop has it.
Check out these other spots in New Jersey for even more small-town experiences.
LittleGun, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
During the 1800s, the cabin was owned by the Van Leer family and used as a safe space for slaves to find solace.
FLHarlock/Tripadvisor
The Historical Society restored and relocated the Schorn Cabin to the Trinity Episcopal Church in 1989, which is where it stands to this day.
Bill Kemp/Google Local
Decades later, in 1783, the church was rebuilt in the building it is today.
Michael Smolensky/Google Local
Doug Kerr/Flickr
There are more historical buildings to admire from the outside, but you’ll definitely want to stop in at some of the food spots.
Botto’s Italian Line Restaurant/Facebook
The butcher block lamb chops are a crowd favorite, and the restaurant is known for its sausage, so make sure someone at the table gets a sausage dish. Find the full restaurant menu here.
Erik Cross/Google Local
The shop was created by long-time bakers, Jack Fromach and Karen Morrison, who are passionate about providing high-quality sweets.
William DiAntonio/Google Local
Whether it’s pies, cupcakes, or cream puffs; You name it, this shop has it.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Swedesboro, NJ 08085, USAAddress: Trinity Episcopal “Old Swedes” Church, 1208 Kings Hwy, Swedesboro, NJ 08085, USAAddress: Botto’s Italian Line Restaurant, 1411 Kings Hwy, Swedesboro, NJ 08085, USAAddress: Sweetsboro Pastry Shoppe, 1302 Kings Hwy, Swedesboro, NJ 08085, USA
