Svalbard kirke (Svalbard church)
Description
Skjæringa, 9170 Longyearbyen
Svalbard Church is located at Skjæringa beneath Platåberget, at the same level as the Governor's facilities a few hundred meters away. The church, with 140 seats, was built in 1957 and consecrated the following year. It replaced Svalbard's first church from 1921, which burned during the bombing of Longyearbyen in 1943. Attached to the church is a larger parish complex, including a lounge with a fireplace, a vicarage, and a cloakroom, which were partially rebuilt and renovated around 2005. This church is responsible for serving all settlements on Svalbard and operates as a seamen's church.
The architect is Hans Magnus from Oslo, who also designed several of the post-war reconstruction churches in Finnmark. The church complex in Longyearbyen is situated on a sloping terrain and consists of three volumes that utilize the difference in elevation. A light, cubic volume anchors the building to the north. Here, the entrance is located on the lower floor, offices are on the same level as the church floor, and a vicarage occupies the top floor under a hipped roof. This volume connects to a lower and more elongated section that houses a large lounge with a fireplace (112 sqm) and has direct access to the church hall. The church section (126 sqm) is clearly marked externally by its triangular shape, contrasting color, and stylistic elements. To the south, the complex ends with a low extension for the choir and sacristy. The construction likely rests on concrete beams supported by columns or footings embedded in the ground. The construction was carried out by Pedersen-bygg from Namsos during the summer of 1957.
The architect is Hans Magnus from Oslo, who also designed several of the post-war reconstruction churches in Finnmark. The church complex in Longyearbyen is situated on a sloping terrain and consists of three volumes that utilize the difference in elevation. A light, cubic volume anchors the building to the north. Here, the entrance is located on the lower floor, offices are on the same level as the church floor, and a vicarage occupies the top floor under a hipped roof. This volume connects to a lower and more elongated section that houses a large lounge with a fireplace (112 sqm) and has direct access to the church hall. The church section (126 sqm) is clearly marked externally by its triangular shape, contrasting color, and stylistic elements. To the south, the complex ends with a low extension for the choir and sacristy. The construction likely rests on concrete beams supported by columns or footings embedded in the ground. The construction was carried out by Pedersen-bygg from Namsos during the summer of 1957.
Year of construction
1957-1958
Architect
Hans Magnus
Client
Statsbygg
Building Type
forsamlingslokale
prestebolig
church, assembly hall, vicarage
Construction System / Materials
concrete beams and columns in the ground, woodwork
Literature
Helgesen, Leif Magne (red.), Kirke på Svalbard, 2008
Namsos bys historielag: «Namsosbedrifters innsats på Svalbard på 1900 tallet»
Per Kyrre Reymert, Longyearbyen. Fra company town til moderne by. Hefte utgitt av Sysselmannen på Svalbard, miljøvernavdelingen, 2013.
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