When Swedenborg's work, translated into English, reached the East Coast from England, its message of a church within, rather than institution, and an active, dynamic Lord inspired many. "All of life is religion," said Swedenborg, "and the life of religion is to do good."
The Chicago "Church of the New Jerusalem" and the "Western New Church Union" (Swedenborg Library) were founded by Jonathan Scammon, an attorney from New York who moved to Chicago before it was officially founded in 1837. He formed the first community of readers of Swedenborg, and a church, securing a lot at Adams Street and Wabash, which became the Adams Street Temple.
Member Joseph Sears developed the north shore town of Kenilworth, and several Chicago Swedenborgians of the 1800s built homes there. Sears founded the Union church in the community as non-denominational, open to all faiths. The church features stained glass windows dedicated to an array of religious leaders and theologians, including Emanuel Swedenborg. His window includes images of early proselytes included John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed), and Robert Hindmarsh (British Anglican preacher) among others.
You can read about the early days of the church in Chicago, and some of its notable members (see the ending section) on Google Books, at:
