Svalbard Kirke

The Svalbard Kirke is located in the municipality of Svalbard, Norway. It is situated in the Longyearbyen village. It is the church of the parish of Svalbard, which is part of the Diocese of Nord-Troms Hlogaland's domprosti (archdiocese). The rectangular red wooden church was built in 1958 according to a plan set out by architect Hans Magnus. The church has a seating capacity of roughly 140 persons.

Until 2017, when the Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas was built near Russia's Nagurskoye Air Base, it was the world's northernmost church. A pastor and two other staff members work at the remote church. The sole church in the Svalbard archipelago is Svalbard Cathedral, but there is a Russian Orthodox chapel in Barentsburg. The Svalbard Church Minister travels to Svea and Ny-lesund, among other places on Svalbard.

Longyearbyen's first church was constructed between July and August 1921. On August 28, 1921, the church was dedicated. During WWII, Svalbard was evacuated, with the Russians returning to Russia and the Norwegians fleeing to Norway. The altar silver, baptismal font, and church books were taken to England by the pastor of Svalbard church at the time. When the church was erected, King Haakon VII and Queen Maud presented the church with a silver altar and baptismal bowl. Longyearbyen was bombed by the German battleships Tirpitz and Scharnhorst in 1943, and the church was destroyed in the resulting fires. The foundation stone for the new church was placed in 1956. Hans Magnus designed the chapel, which was dedicated on August 24, 1958. The previous church's original silver altar candlesticks and baptismal basins were also utilized in the new church.

This is a beautiful and peaceful church. The interior is actually quite moving, especially when set against the dramatic winter landscape. The hall has the most welcoming atmosphere and it would be great if you spent more time in this lovely place. The architecture of Svalbard Kirke church is very simple, it looks a bit like a wooden house, and it is very, very cozy inside. Neat paintings by the altar, a small souvenir shop, and a pile of books to read. This is probably an ideal place for you to visit because the church of Svalbard is also on the list of the most beautiful historical sites in Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

Location: Svalbard