As far as we know, the first Baptist church in Sweden was formed in Landa Parish, Halland, on this day in 1848. In the evening of that day four men and one woman were baptized in the waters of Vallervik Bay, and in a nearby farm house, the small church was organized. The ordinance was administered by A.P. Foerester of Copenhagen, Denmark.
In the meantime, in New York City, the Lord was saving the soul of Fredrik Olaus Nilsson. Nilsson was eventually baptized, and if I remember correctly later ordained, by the German Baptist, J. G. Oncken. When Foerester left the little congregation in Sweden because of persecution, Nilsson, the former sailor, became the leader of the tiny church. In a letter back to the pastor of the Baptist Mariners Church in New York Nilsson had this to say: “Thus it has pleased the Lord to permit a church, built on New Testament principles, to be formed also in Sweden, the Spain of the North, religiously speaking, and now it depends on the Lord whether or not this church is to live and prosper. We are looking for persecution and trouble because of our faith. We have been planning to leave the country, but our conscience bids us remain here until we are driven off by the authorities. We do not know what the future may have in store for us, but we are determined to stand firm for the truth. And we feel, sometimes at least, that He will help us to remain firm in every trial.”
Due to persecution, in 1853 it was agreed by the church that as many of the members as could should emigrate to the United States, and twenty-one members left their homeland for this country.
– Source: “This Day in Baptist History, III” – David Cummins