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A representative 20th century leader was Conrad J. I. Bergendoff (1895-1997), who served as president of Augustana College and Seminary and was a longtime theological leader of the [[Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church]] (now part of [[ELCA]]). Central to his mission was the Lutheran church's bridging of the cultures of immigrant Swedes, with American culture. Bergendoff also embraced ecumenical relations and was equally critical of social liberalism and fundamentalism. Allegiance to a living Christ was fundamental to his theology.<ref>Mark A. Granquist, "Conrad J. I. Bergendoff (1895-1997)." ''Lutheran Quarterly'' 2005 19(2): 167-184. Issn: 0024-7499</ref>  Religiosity declined sharply in Sweden in the 20th century but remained vital to the Swedish Americans. The authoritarian features of the established church in Sweden, controlled by the upper class, combined with the rigidities of social hierarchy, alienated most people.  By contrast emigrants regarded their language and the Lutheran pietistic tradition as fundamental elements in their heritage and this combined with the freedom to pursue their religious beliefs without governmental interference strengthened Swedish Lutheranism.  

A representative 20th century leader was Conrad J. I. Bergendoff (1895-1997), who served as president of Augustana College and Seminary and was a longtime theological leader of the [[Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church]] (now part of [[ELCA]]). Central to his mission was the Lutheran church's bridging of the cultures of immigrant Swedes, with American culture. Bergendoff also embraced ecumenical relations and was equally critical of social liberalism and fundamentalism. Allegiance to a living Christ was fundamental to his theology.<ref>Mark A. Granquist, "Conrad J. I. Bergendoff (1895-1997)." ''Lutheran Quarterly'' 2005 19(2): 167-184. Issn: 0024-7499</ref>  Religiosity declined sharply in Sweden in the 20th century but remained vital to the Swedish Americans. The authoritarian features of the established church in Sweden, controlled by the upper class, combined with the rigidities of social hierarchy, alienated most people.  By contrast emigrants regarded their language and the Lutheran pietistic tradition as fundamental elements in their heritage and this combined with the freedom to pursue their religious beliefs without governmental interference strengthened Swedish Lutheranism.  

Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church was a 20th-century church of Swedish immigrants from Finland in New York City that served as a center for a variety of activities, including many not directly of a religious nature. The church was founded in 1919 and remained active until 1977. In 1935 it changed its Swedish name to English. There were different activity groups in the church, such as a sewing circle, a youth group, the Luther League, and the Girls Aid. The church also had an adult choir, a children's choir, a string band, and a concert band. During the 1920s, luncheons, bazaars, and banquets were regular parts of the church's activities. There were also festivities with a more culturally bound background, in particular, festivities originating from the native country. Immigrant churches, with a broad range of contacts, became important cultural centers that reinforced the immigrants' cultural heritage. Many of the church's fund-raising social events were essential to maintaining a balanced budget. Another important factor was that most of the members of the church lived in so-called bolagshus (three apartment buildings purchased together by the community) very close by. Consequently, the church became a natural gathering place for members on Sundays and most weekdays. These factors united church members in the spiritual and cultural heritage they tried to protect and preserve in a new environment.<ref>Ingvar Dahlbacka, "Emigrantförsamlingen Som Allaktivitetscentrum," ["The Immigrant Congregation as an All-activity Center"]. ''Kyrkohistorisk Årsskrift'' [Sweden] 1999: 61-69. Issn: 0085-2619</ref>

Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church was a 20th century church of Swedish immigrants from Finland in New York City that served as a center for a variety of activities, including many not directly of a religious nature. The church was founded in 1919 and remained active until 1977. In 1935 it changed its Swedish name to English. There were different activity groups in the church, such as a sewing circle, a youth group, the Luther League, and the Girls Aid. The church also had an adult choir, a children's choir, a string band, and a concert band. During the 1920s, luncheons, bazaars, and banquets were regular parts of the church's activities. There were also festivities with a more culturally bound background, in particular, festivities originating from the native country. Immigrant churches, with a broad range of contacts, became important cultural centers that reinforced the immigrants' cultural heritage. Many of the church's fund-raising social events were essential to maintaining a balanced budget. Another important factor was that most of the members of the church lived in so-called bolagshus (three apartment buildings purchased together by the community) very close by. Consequently, the church became a natural gathering place for members on Sundays and most weekdays. These factors united church members in the spiritual and cultural heritage they tried to protect and preserve in a new environment.<ref>Ingvar Dahlbacka, "Emigrantförsamlingen Som Allaktivitetscentrum," ["The Immigrant Congregation as an All-activity Center"]. ''Kyrkohistorisk Årsskrift'' [Sweden] 1999: 61-69. Issn: 0085-2619</ref>

Most Swedes were Lutheran and belonged to synods now associated with the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]], especially the [[Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church]]. Their ministers trained at Augustana College and Theological Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois. Theologically, they were pietistic; politically, they supported progressive causes, and prohibition.  Two small spin-off group were the Swedish Evangelical Free Church of America, and the Swedish Covenant Church, both based in Chicago.  The Swedish Baptists wet up small colonies in the Midwest.<ref>Hans Norman, "From Nerike to Wisconsin: Emigration of Baptists, Their Settlements and Congregations from 1868 to the 1920s." ''Swedish-American Historical Quarterly'' 1998 49(3): 195-209.</ref>

Most Swedes were Lutheran and belonged to synods now associated with the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]], especially the [[Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church]]. Their ministers trained at Augustana College and Theological Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois. Theologically, they were pietistic; politically, they supported progressive causes, and prohibition.  Two small spin-off group were the Swedish Evangelical Free Church of America, and the Swedish Covenant Church, both based in Chicago.  The Swedish Baptists wet up small colonies in the Midwest.<ref>Hans Norman, "From Nerike to Wisconsin: Emigration of Baptists, Their Settlements and Congregations from 1868 to the 1920s." ''Swedish-American Historical Quarterly'' 1998 49(3): 195-209.</ref>