About the mission and work of Svalbard church
The church in Longyearbyen is a meeting place and venue for various ecclesial and cultural gatherings. Every week, several hundred children, youth, and adults come together for choir, scouts, confirmation classes, baby song and baby meet‑ups, evening mass and Sunday services, concerts, and conversations. We baptize, confirm, and marry people. And we hold memorial services or funerals when someone passes away. Because it is allowed both to be born and to die on Svalbard. We take care of people here.
The work is diverse, framed by the majestic polar landscape as a natural altar backdrop, and by encounters with a wide variety of people in all life situations.
The church is normally open around the clock, every day. Everyone is welcome to stop by for a quiet moment, light a candle, enjoy a cup of coffee, or have a chat. In the church’s lounge you will find a small shop with local souvenirs and handicrafts supporting humanitarian projects in Palestine, South Africa, and India, as well as the church’s local work.
Svalbard Church’s mission covers all of Svalbard. It is part of the public emergency preparedness and serves everyone staying on the archipelago, regardless of nationality or church affiliation. The church’s expenses for rent, salaries, and operations therefore come through the Svalbard Budget, just like other public institutions on the islands. The church belongs to the Church of Norway, a Protestant national church, and is part of Tromsø Cathedral Deanery and the Diocese of Nord‑Hålogaland.
The vision of Svalbard Church is to be an open and generous church—diaconal and attentive. We are part of the worldwide Christian church and practice what we call ecumenical and spiritual hospitality. This means that everyone is welcome to participate in our services and events.
It also means:
- Everyone is welcome to support the extensive work required to keep the church open, orderly, and hospitable 24/7.
- We ask all guests who make use of the open church to leave a contribution to the local activities via Vipps or the payment terminal.
- A fun fact — and reality: of our 35.000–40.000 annual church visitors, 25.000–30.000 are travelers who come individually or in groups through various local operators. Statistics show that about 10.000 locals participate annually in our events, services, activities, choir rehearsals, etc. Meaning that 75% of all visitors are tourists.
A Brief History of Svalbard Church
The first church on Svalbard was consecrated in 1921. It was called “Our Savior’s Church,” built in just 50 days, located 200 meters south of where the current church stands. Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani financed the construction, and it became an important gathering place, with a reading room that served as a school until 1937. The first pastors were also teachers for the few children in Longyearbyen.
During the German attack on Longyearbyen in 1943, the church was destroyed by fire. The altar silver and baptismal font were evacuated to England and thus saved.
In the post-war years, it took quite some time before a new church could be completed. In the early years after the war, services and gatherings were held in “Huset,” Store Norske’s building at the end of Longyeardalen. The pastor lived there, and school was held there as well. On “Skjæringa,” near the Governor’s residence, a bell tower was erected; the bell was cast on Christmas Eve 1949 and could ring the Christmas season in.
In 1958, Svalbard Church was finally consecrated. The building includes a sanctuary, kitchen, large lounge used for various events, and offices for the church’s three employees— pastor, manager/deacon, and church musician/Christian educator. The building also contains a clergy residence. The walls of the lounge display many historical artifacts and artworks from Svalbard, and the bookshelves contain Svalbard literature visitors may read.
The paintings in the sanctuary were created by the well‑known Norwegian artist Kåre Mikkelsen Jonsborg (1912–77). He used colors inspired by Svalbard’s nature, and the paintings depict important events in the lives of Jesus and the disciples.
In 2021, the altar window received new decoration by glass artist Veslemøy Nystedt Stoltenberg. The theme is Light. In summer, the sun shines into the sanctuary through the stained glass; in winter, the window shines outward toward the town. “The light shines in the darkness!” has been the artist’s guiding idea. It is a constant and true reminder of God’s love towards the whole creation and solidarity with all who suffer and experience darkness in life.
Etiquette and Guidelines in Svalbard Church
- Welcome to visit Svalbard Church!
- We follow the old Svalbard tradition of removing outdoor shoes in the cloakroom before going upstairs to the lounge and sanctuary. You may also leave your outerwear there.
- Toilets are located in the cloakroom area downstairs. Please be considerate and leave them tidy.
- Please use the waste bins provided.
- You are welcome to participate in all open events; you may also leave during the gathering.
- Sightseeing, photography, and guiding is not permitted during services and events. Please respect those attending.
- Please note that it is not permitted to photograph children. Always ask before photographing people you do not know.
- You are welcome to help yourself to coffee/tea/water in the lounge. You may give a donation to cover costs and support the church’s local work via Vipps or the self‑service ChurchDesk terminal.
- You may also purchase products we have for sale even if staff are not present. Use Vipps or the terminal.
- You are welcome to light a candle in the sanctuary’s candle globe, but do not leave candles burning unattended.
- The church is open 24/7, but for fire‑safety reasons it is not permitted to sleep in the building. It is a church, not an accommodation. This is strictly regulated and must be respected.
- Svalbard Church is a place where we want all people to feel safe and welcome, regardless of belief, gender or gender expression, ethnicity, or nationality—and this requires everyone’s contribution.
Contact Information Email: post.svalbard@kirken.no
Phone (daytime): +47 79 02 55 60
Postal address: P.O. Box 533, N‑9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
Visiting address: Vei 303, Skjæringa
General information: www.svalbardkirke.no
Updates and events: Follow Svalbard Church on Facebook