Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík (Free Church in Reykjavik)

The Frikirkjan Church (1899) was originally built of driftwood.

When walking along the lake, it is almost impossible to escape the sight of this historic religious building. Founded in the autumn of 1899, the Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík congregation initially housed 600 members, whose numbers grew rapidly. Interestingly, it was not a theological dispute that inspired the founding of this independent Lutheran church, but rather a desire for a church organization closer to the people. The growing population of Reykjavík, marked by the flourishing of craft businesses, merchant shops and newly emerging urban districts, made it clear that Reykjavík Cathedral was no longer sufficient to meet the spiritual needs of the city. The emergence of Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík was a sign of change, an echo of the Icelandic immigrant communities in North America and the churches in Norway. Its aim was to make faith and spiritual community more accessible to everyone. Just a few years after its foundation, the congregation found the ideal location for its sacred building on the eastern shore of Lake Tjörnin. The church, which was consecrated on February 22, 1903, is not only a testimony to deep spirituality, but also an impressive example of architecture and craftsmanship. Under the hands of the architect Rögnvaldur Ólafsson and the master builder Guðmundur H. Þorláksson, the church has undergone various extensions and adaptations over the years.

The Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík (Icelandic: The Free Church in Reykjavik) is a church which is apart from the State Church. It is an independent Lutheran Free Church of Iceland. It lies in the centre of the Icelandic capital, by the lake Tjörnin.

The Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík congregation was established in Reykjavík in the autumn of 1899. It had an initial membership of 600 which soon rose. The foundation of the Free Church did not spring from any doctrinal dispute with the national Lutheran church, but arose from objections to certain aspects of the national church's organisations. The Free church followed the example of churches in Norway and those of Icelandic immigrant communities in North America, in wishing to bring the church closer to the people. The rising population of Reykjavík and the concomitant social changes also contributed. Craftsmen and tradesman were growing classes in the town, and new districts were built, and yet Reykjavík Cathedral was still the only church.

Shortly after the new congregation was founded, a suitable site for a new church was chosen at the east of the lake. The church was consecrated on 22 February 1903. Only two years later the church was lengthened, to a design by architect Rögnvaldur Ólafsson. In 1924 the church was enlarged again. A chancel was built of concrete at the eastern end, and various alterations were built on either side of the forechurch, supervised by master builder Guðmundur H. Þorláksson.

Source: Wikipedia