Written by Bjarte Brask Eriksen published by Hordaland.no 16.12.2019
Translated by Mari Ropstad, WNS committee member
Click here for the Original article:
The people of Sogn og Fjordane and Hordaland gave a million kroner to re-build the Norwegian seamen’s church in Cardiff. On December 15, the Church celebrated its 150-year anniversary.
Fantastic anniversary celebration: The Norwegian Church in Cardiff is 150 year.
Photographer: Bjarte Brask Eriksen
The people of Sogn og Fjordane and Hordaland gave a million kroner to re-build the Norwegian seamen’s church in Cardiff. On December 15, the Church celebrated its 150-year anniversary.
“We have a strong, deep and enduring friendship between Cardiff and western Norway. The seamen’s church has a special place in our heart. This beautiful building is 150 years old, and the anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on our friendship. It’s important to celebrate. We have a common cultural heritage. We look forward to many more years as good friends”, said Dan De’Ath, Lord Mayor of the City and County of Cardiff, in his speech during the celebrations of the church.
Good friends from across the North Sea : Right Honorable Lord Mayor of the City and County of Cardiff, Councillor Dan De’ath with former Mayor Torill Selsvold Nyborg og Norwegian Politician for the christian Democratic Party.
Photo: Bjarte Brask Eriksen
A message from King Harald
King Harald sent a greeting to the for the occasion, which the county Mayor Pål Kårbø gave the Lord Mayor of Cardiff to be hung up in the church. The greeting read: “I send my best greetings to all who are gathered on the occasion of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the seamen’s church in Cardiff. Harald R.”
Pål Kårbø presenting the greeting from the Norwegian kin Harald IV helsinga frå Kongen to the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Dan De’Ath.
Photo: Bjarte Brask Eriksen
Popular home for Norwegians
The church full during the celebrations, both with Norwegian and Welsh people. Notable people in attendance included the Ministerial Advisor at the Norwegian embassy in London, Vibeke Rysst-Jensen. The priest at the Seamen’s Church in London, Torbjørn Holt, held the same church service as when the church, which was built in 1869, was consecrated on 16th December that same year.
“The church has been a popular home for all Norwegians who have come to Cardiff over the last 150 years. The church is the symbol of the friendship between Norway and Cardiff. We have a unique friendship,” said Roy Noble, presenter with the BBC, who told the story of both the friendship and the church, a history that has also been broadcast on the channel.
Participants in the celebration of the Norwegian Church: County Deputy Chairperson Pål Kårbø (t.l.), Tyra Oseng-Rees (Chair of Welsh Norwegian Society), Hordaland County Council Director for Education Bjørn Lyngedal, Project leader Terje Inderhaug, Vibeke Rysst-Jensen, Depity Head of Mission, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Hordaland County Council Johnny Stiansen and former Mayor of Hordaland Torill Selsvold Nyborg.
Photo: Bjarte Brask Eriksen
Norwegian ships responsible for two thirds of coal freight
Norwegian seafarers first came to Cardiff with timber. Later they would transport coal and iron. Cardiff was the capital of coal in the United Kingdom and two thirds of the coal export was done by Norwegian ships. Around 1960 the coal export declined, and the use of the church deteriorated. It was dismantled but stored and taken care of for the modernization and development of the port. During the 1980s, there was heavy pressure to have it rebuilt. A new plot, centrally located in the port, was provided, but there was not enough money for the reconstruction.
The Chruch is the symbol of the friendship between Norway and Wales . We have a unique friendship, says Roy Noble from BBC radio Wales. Espen Selvik compered the celebration excellent both with music and speeches.
Photo: Bjarte Brask Eriksen
A gift of one million kroner
The then county governor of Sogn og Fjordane, Ingvald Ulveseth, took the initiative to provide a public gift from Western Norway, to rebuild the church. The then county mayors, Julius Fure in Sogn og Fjordane and Ole Dramdal in Hordaland, liked the idea. Thus, the two county municipalities, now to become one, joined together to raise money. In total, one million kroner was collected as a public gift, from what is now Vestland county. Combined with money raised locally in Cardiff, our seamen’s church was rebuilt and opened by Princess Märtha Louise on April 7, 1992.
We have a deep and long lasting friendshop says Ken Pool, Head of Economic Development at Cardiff Council which is being thanked by Pål Kårbø.
Photo: Bjarte Brask Eriksen
Friendship is the key to success
Ken Poole, Head of Economic Development at Cardiff City Council, has a strong relationship with the church and Norway. “We have a strong friendship that has been around for a long time. This friendship is the key to Cardiff’s continued success. The city is built on trade and exports with great help from Norwegian seafarers. I remember many from my young days. They provided economic benefits to Cardiff. We are a tolerant and friendly city. The church symbolises friendship. It is important to me and the city. Although the church has changed, it is part of our legacy. We have a deep and lasting friendship. Long live Hordaland,” he said.
Lord Mayor of Cardiff, with Pål Kårbø, positioning the greeting from King Harald iV from Norway on the wall in the Norwegian Church.
Photo: Bjarte Brask Eriksen
Many links with Cardiff
County Mayor Pål Kårbø highlighted the special friendship between Hordaland and Cardiff, but also with Sogn and Fjordane, which will now become a combined western region with Hordaland.
“We have created many links over the years with Cardiff. We have had many projects together such as cultural heritage, economic development, food festivals, education and learning. We have a lot in common and a lot to share. It is great to learn from each other and enrich our cultural life through collaboration and creating new jobs together. I am confident that our friendship will go from strength to strength,” said the county mayor.
Will become Vestland
Kårbø pointed out that Hordaland and Sogn and Fjordane will merge to form a new combined county of Vestland from the start of the year.
“We must work hard to create new traditions and build new culture and identity. It is good to know that the Church Rebuilding Committee was a collaboration between our two counties, which will now become a new region. So the new Vestland has a historical responsibility for the restoration of the Norwegian church which has become a cultural centre. I am optimistic for our future friendship,” said county deputy mayor Pål Kårbø.
Welsh Norwegian Society 