Svalbard Church is a red, wooden church built in 1957, after Longyearbyen‘s first church, dated 1921, burnt down during the World War II bombings. It is absolutely nothing fancy, but I guess what a working class place of worship from that era would look like. It is small, seats 140 people, and offers the regular services. One thing stood out though, the boat hanging from the ceiling, a practice known as a votive ship, or church ship. Apparently it is relatively common in churches in Scandinavia, but I can’t remember having spotted one before 😀 The symbolism seems to differ from place to place, why this fembøring is hung up, I don’t know. In addition to the church section, there is also a space for social gatherings with grouped seating areas. This place is quickly done, but a curiosity worth the short walk, crossing Longyearbyen River, to the opposite side of town, kind of.
Website: kirken.no/svalbard
