Learn more about the religious life of Oslo by taking this walking tour of the city’s most important sacred sights. An interesting variety of design, including Protestant and Catholic churches, can be found in Oslo.
1) Maria Bebudelses Orthodox Church
Maria Bebudelses is a very small Orthodox church known locally as The Day of Judgment Church. The Catholic Apostolic congregation had it built in 1892, which mostly died out, leaving the church unused for several years. It was taken over by the Greek-Orthodox congregation in the 1980s and is now sometimes lent to the Serbian Orthodox community to hold services.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Chris Nyborg
2) St Olav's Roman Catholic Cathedral
St. Olav's Roman Catholic Cathedral was the first Catholic church in Oslo. The church was designed in a Neo-Gothic style by architect H.E. Schirmer. Queen Josephine donated the altarpiece, a copy of Raphael’s work.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Cnyborg
3) Trefoldighets Church
Trefoldighets Church is the largest church in Oslo, with a minimum of three architects taking part in its design. It has a cross crowned at the center of a copper-plated dome and a lantern at the apex. The church belongs to the Trinity congregation and was consecrated in 1858. In 1883 a staircase was added to the entrance and in 1956 the interior was remodeled.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Bjørn Erik Pedersen
4) Margaretakyrkan
Margaretakyrkan, the Swedish church is situated in the shadows of several municipal buildings, close to Oslo’s library. The construction is in a neoclassical style, built out of coated bricks and designed by architect Lars Israel Wahlman. The church was consecrated in 1925 by Bishop Nathan Söderblom.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Mahlum
5) St. Edmund's Church
St. Edmund’s Church is a minimalist style architecture tightly squeezed between industrial buildings of the area. It is a non-denominational church offering a variety of events, including concerts, the Ladies’ Guilds and wonderful performances by its choir.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and GAD
6) Jakob Cultural Church
This church was abandoned for some years and nearly destroyed by modern urbanization. In February 2000 the church was re-inaugurated as a cultural church, the bell tower being the only remaining feature of the original construction.