Nordic churches in London
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There are several long-established Nordic churches in London. All seek to provide Lutheran Christian worship and pastoral care to their respective national communities in their own languages. Many of the churches also organise language classes and organise a wide range of social activities.
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[edit] Danish Church 
The church is located at 4 Saint Katharine's Precinct, Regent's Park, London NW1 4HH (off Albany Street). The nearest London Underground stations are Camden Town or Great Portland Street.
The Danish Seamen's Mission in London is based at 322 Rope Steet, Rotherhithe. There is also a Danish Church in Hull (the St Nikolaj Danish Seamen's Church at 104 Osborne Street).
The London and Hull congregations are both part of the Danske Sømands og Udlands Kirker (DSUK) - The Danish Church Abroad / Danish Seamen´s Church. The DSUK was founded in 2004 through the merger of The Danish Church Abroad and The Danish Seamen’s Church in Foreign Ports. The DSUK is affiliated to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark.
[edit] Finnish Church 
The Finnish Seamen's Mission and church (Suomen Merimieskirkko) is located at 33 Albion Street, Rotherhithe, London, SE16. The current Rector is the Revd Juha Rintamäki.
The London church and mission was first established in 1882, when the Finnish port chaplain who had been sent to Hull in 1880 was relocated south because of the level of work demanded in London. The present church building was opened in 1958 and refurbished in 2006; its distinctive architecture is recognised as a Grade II listed building. The architect was Cyrill Mardall-Sjöström.
Rotherhithe Underground station is very near (on Brunel Road), but this East London Line station will temporarily close from 22 December 2007 until June 2010. The nearest alternative is Canada Water station on the Jubilee Line. It is also possible to take bus routes 381 or C10 to Rotherhithe Underground station.
The approach ramp to the Rotherhithe Tunnel is immediately behind the church (between Albion Street and Brunel Road). The Brunel Engine House is nearby; Rotherhithe Library is located between the Finnish Church and St Olav's Norwegian Church.
[edit] Icelandic congregation 
Lutheran services in Icelandic are held (usually on the third Sunday of every month) at the German Church (Christuskirche), 19 Montpelier Place, Knightsbridge.
[edit] Norwegian Church 
There has been a Norwegian church in London since the late 17th century. The current church building (St Olav's) was consecrated in 1927, the foundation stone was laid the previous year by Prince Olav (later King Olav V of Norway). King Haakon VII and the Norwegian government in exile regularly worshipped at the church during World War II, when the church was given the status of a pro-cathedral.
St Olav's Church is located close to the River Thames in Rotherhithe at 1 St Olav's Square, Albion Street (next to the entrance to the Rotherhithe Tunnel). The nearest Underground stations are Rotherhithe or Canada Water. The congregation is part of the Sjømannskirken (The Norwegian Church Abroad or The Norwegian Seamen’s Churches.)
The Sjømannskirken also have a Norwegian Fishermans' Church, Liverpool.
[edit] Swedish Church 
The Ulrika Eleonora Swedish Parish in London is part of "Church of Sweden Abroad" (SKUT). The first church for the Swedish community in London opened in Wapping in 1728, but it was replaced and relocated in the early 20th century. There are now two Swedish churches in London - the Parish Church and the Seamen's Church.
The Parish Church is located at 6 Harcourt Street, Marylebone. It was built in 1911 and is a Grade II listed building. The altar, pulpit, fonts and chandeliers are from the former church in Wapping. The nearest Underground station is Edgware Road on the Circle Line, District Line and Hammersmith and City Line.
The Swedish Seamen's Church was opened at 120 Lower Road, Rotherhithe in 1905. The current premises were built in 1930 and partially rebuilt in 1966. As well as a church and clergy accommodation, there is also a reading room, television room, billiard room and a hostel providing overnight accommodation. The nearest London Underground station is Surrey Quays on the East London Line, followed by Canada Water on the Jubilee Line.
SKUT is accountable to the General Synod of the Church of Sweden. SKUT provides the staff and funding for churches abroad. Since 2002 SKUT has been linked to the Diocese of Visby; the Bishop of Visby is responsible for episcopal oversight.
[edit] See also
- Church of Denmark
- Church of Iceland
- Church of Norway
- Church of Sweden
- Denmark
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
- Finland
- Iceland
- List of churches in London
- Lutheranism
- Nordic countries
- Norway
- Porvoo Communion
- Scandinavia
- Sjømannskirken
- Sweden
[edit] External links
- Danish Church in London - official website (in Danish only)
- Danish Church Abroad / Danish Seamen´s Church (DSUK) (in Danish and English)
- Finnish Church in London - official website (in English and Finnish)
- Icelandic Church services in London (in Icelandic only)
- Lutheran Council of Great Britain
- Norwegian Church in London - official website (in Norwegian only)
- Norwegian Church in London - website of the Embassy of Norway in London (in English)
- Swedish Church in London - official website (in English and Swedish)
