Svenska Margaretakyrkan (Swedish Margaret Church), Oslo

Svenska Margaretakyrkan, which translates as The Swedish Margaret Church, is found on Hammersborg Torg, north of the city center and close to many of Oslo’s most visited churches. Immediately adjacent to the Deichmanske municipal library, the church is a mortar-coated white brick building in the neoclassical style, topped with a bronze spire at its center. Created as a Swedish church, it was designed by Lars Israel Wahlman, and built in 1922. The church was consecrated by Bishop Nathan Söderblom in December 1925. The main altarpiece, depicting Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, was designed by Gunnar Torhamn.

Currently housing a predominantly Swedish congregation, this elegant church still holds regular services, on Sundays and weekday evenings. The church is perhaps best known in Oslo for its efforts during World War 2. With Norway under attack from Nazi Germany, the church provided food to a large portion of the city’s population. It is believed that over 7000 people came to Saint Margaret’s every day for food – most famously, the low-cost ‘Swedish soup’ that the church regularly served to the hungry citizens of Oslo. The church building is also known for its excellent acoustics, and choral recitals are often held here as a result.