Norwegian Church, Cardiff bay, Wales, July 2017
In the 19th century, Cardiff was one of Britain’s major ports. London was the largest, needless to say, but Cardiff became a major coal exporting port after a railway link was added. At this time, the Norwegian had a significantly sized merchant fleet and Cardiff became one of the major centres of Norwegian operations.
At this time, the work of Sjømannskirken, the Norwegian Church Abroad organisation, resulted in a church being built in Cardiff Bay in 1868 to serve the religious needs of Norwegian sailors and expatriates. The original structure was clad in iron sheets and became known as the Norwegian Iron Church. However, it was reclad in wood at the end of the nineteenth century and then became the Little White Church.
During the industrial revolution, many Norwegian seafarers decided to settle in Cardiff to run businesses associated with shipping. One of the significant new residents was Harald Dahl, the father-to-be of Roald Dahl. The family were regular attendees of the church and Roald was baptised here.
The coal export business went through a slow decline, starting even before World War I, and post the second world war the export trade moved away from Cardiff. The involvement of Norwegian missions and associations declined, and the church was closed and deconsecrated in 1974. Roald Dahl played a strong role in campaigns to save the church from complete destruction, and although he did not live to see its reconstruction, it was saved and was reopened in 1992 by Princess Märtha Louise of Norway.
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Copyright Debbie Smyth, 16 July 2017
Posted as part of My Sunday Photo
Travel with Intent 
So, is it a functioning church, Debs, or just a museum? It looks great. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing.
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I live in Cardiff and this has been a well known landmark for a long time. The regeneration of the docks, into the Bay, saw lots of investment and luckily lots of buildings have been saved. The Bay is a wonderful place to visit, we love it #MySundayPhoto
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I have to say I loved the area – a good mix of old and new buildings, good coastal walk and tasty food!
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I love the feel of it, I would have guessed it was in Norway
Thank you for linking up
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I don’t know if I’d have been as accurate in my guess, but it certainly said northern. I don’t think the metal version would have said Norway at all – and maybe not church
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I like the distortion and the position of the sun, nice shot.
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I thought of straightening up in edit, but it lost too much!
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Interesting history but sad.
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Shame it declined. but a strong group fought successfully for its return
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I’ve seen that little church and wondered about it. We usually stay in the bay visiting our eldest at the University. I’ll look knowledgeable about the history next time I pass!
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The bay is beautiful. I was so glad I stayed there.
Is your eldest enjoying Cardiff?
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Cool, although it’s only fair to point out that Märthe Louise is an absolute fruitcake! 😀
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Oh, I have to admit I know nothing about her. More reading required!
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She ‘talks to the angels’ and you can almost feel the national ‘eyeroll’ whenever her name is mentioned! Loony toons! 🙂
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