Nordic churches in London facts for kids
There are several long-established Nordic churches in London. These churches provide Christian worship and support to people from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. They offer services in their own languages. Many of these churches also have language classes and fun social activities for their communities.
Danish Church
The Danish Church is located near Regent's Park at 4 Saint Katharine's Precinct, London NW1 4HH. You can get there by London Underground to Camden Town or Great Portland Street.
The building itself is very old. It was built between 1826 and 1828. It used to be a chapel for a hospital called St Katharine's Hospital. The architect who designed it was Ambrose Poynter. This church is considered a very important historical building and has been "Grade II* listed" since 1954. This means it's protected because of its special history and architecture.
The Danish Seamen's Mission in London helps Danish sailors. It is located in Rotherhithe. There is also another Danish Church in Hull. Both the London and Hull churches are part of the "Danske Sømands og Udlands Kirker (DSUK)". This group helps Danish churches and seamen's churches outside Denmark. It is connected to the main Church of Denmark.
A long time ago, from 1696 to 1870, there was a Danish church in Wellclose Square. It was built by a Danish artist named Caius Gabriel Cibber. Two wooden statues he made, of Moses and Saint John the Baptist, were moved from the old church to the current St Katharine's church.
Finnish Church
The Finnish Seamen's Mission and church is at 33 Albion Street, Rotherhithe, London, SE16. The current leader of the church is Revd Marjaana Härkönen. This church is more than just a place of worship. It also has a shop where you can buy Finnish products. Plus, it offers hostel rooms for visitors to London.
The Finnish church and mission in London started in 1882. The first Finnish chaplain (a type of priest) was sent to Hull in 1880. But there was so much work in London that he moved south. The building you see today opened in 1958. It was updated in 2006. Its unique design is recognized as a "Grade II listed building," meaning it's an important historical building. The architect was Cyrill Mardall-Sjöström.
The church is close to Rotherhithe railway station (on the London Overground). Another nearby station is Canada Water on the Jubilee line. You can also take bus routes 381 or C10.
The entrance ramp to the Rotherhithe Tunnel is right behind the church. The Brunel Engine House, a historical site, is also nearby. The Rotherhithe Library is located between the Finnish Church and the Norwegian Church.
Icelandic Congregation
People who speak Icelandic have Lutheran church services in London. These services usually happen on the third Sunday of every month. They are held at the German Church, which is at 19 Montpelier Place, Knightsbridge. Sometimes, Icelandic services are also held at the Ulrika Eleonora Swedish Church of London.
Norwegian Church
There has been a Norwegian church in London since the late 1600s. The current church building, called St Olav's, was designed by John Love Seaton Dahl. It was officially opened in 1927. The foundation stone was placed the year before by Prince Olav, who later became King Olav V of Norway.
During World War II, King Haakon VII and the Norwegian government, who had to leave Norway during the war (called the "government in exile"), often came to worship at this church. Because of this, the church was given a special status. This church has also been a "Grade II listed building" since 1949.
St Olav's Church is very close to the River Thames in Rotherhithe. It's located at 1 St Olav's Square, Albion Street, right next to the entrance to the Rotherhithe Tunnel. The closest Underground stations are Rotherhithe or Canada Water. The church is part of the Norwegian Church Abroad, also known as The Norwegian Seamen's Churches. The Finnish Church is also nearby on Albion Street.
Besides regular church services, the Norwegian Church organizes fun activities. These include a Saturday school where kids can learn Norwegian and even football practice!
Swedish Church
The Ulrika Eleonora Swedish Parish in London is part of the "Church of Sweden Abroad" (called Svenska kyrkan i utlandet: SKUT). The first church for the Swedish community in London opened in 1728 in Wapping. However, it was later replaced and moved in the early 1900s. Now, there is only one main Swedish church in London, the Ulrika Eleonora.
The Ulrika Eleonora Church is at 6 Harcourt Street, Marylebone. It was built in 1911 and is a "Grade II listed building." Many parts of the church, like the altar, pulpit, and chandeliers, came from the older church in Wapping. Besides the church itself, the building also has a reading room, a church hall, a library, and offices. The closest Underground station is Edgware Road.
The Swedish Seamen's Church used to be at 120 Lower Road, Rotherhithe. It opened in 1905 but closed down in December 2012.
The SKUT group is overseen by the main Church of Sweden. SKUT provides some staff for the churches abroad. The local church community is responsible for other staff and maintaining the buildings. Since 2002, SKUT has been connected to the Diocese of Visby. The Bishop of Visby is in charge of overseeing these churches.
