Norwegian Churches

«Deilig er Jorden! Prektig er Guds himmel, skjønn er sjelenes pilgrimsgang!»

How often have these words resounded on Christmas Eve in Norwegian-American congregations across North America! For Norwegians all over the world, Christmas is one of the most important times of the year, and the church is a focal point of their holiday.

Ethnographers, who study communities and cultures, have observed that the celebration of Christmas is one of the most important and enduring traditions in Norwegian America. To come together in a candlelit church, hear the story of the Gospels, sing beloved hymns, recite the prayers of old, to pray and rejoice before joining together for good conversation, Norwegian cookies, and coffee: this has always been part of the Norwegian-American experience, both then and now.

Yet, the role of the church in Norwegian-American society has evolved over time.

In the Norwegian immigrant settlements scattered across the continent, the church was once the core of the community. It is where the Norwegians came together each, not only to hear the word of God spoken in their own language but to come together to socialize and support one another — maybe even find a husband or wife. Baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and even funerals were high points throughout the year. And, of course, hardworking Norwegian women have always played a big role in making sure all the arrangements for these big occasions were in place.

While the Norwegian immigrants who landed in New York City on the sloop Restauration in 1825 were religious dissenters, most immigrants who came between 1860 and the years leading up to World War I were members of the Lutheran State Church of Norway. These early Norwegian Lutheran churches helped lay the foundation for the Lutheran churches we know.

And with time, religious practices were modified and modernized, and the role of women changed. Both in Norway and North America, it is now not unusual for women to serve as pastors of their congregations and to serve as church leaders.

Today, if you drive through old Norwegian settlements, you will find beautiful old Lutheran churches. Often, they reflect the style of churches built in the areas of Norway where early Norwegian immigrants came from. With a high, pointed roof and a steeple, they are usually built of wood and painted white. Many of them are designated as historical landmarks.

The interiors of these churches are usually rather plain, with a focus on the altar area, often adorned with altar paintings depicting the passion or resurrection of Christ. Most have a wooden pulpit and simple wooden pews.

Over time, the Norwegian language was abandoned, as new generations began to speak only English. Today, there are only two churches in the United States that still use Norwegian as their primary liturgical language: Den Norske Lutherske Minnekirke (Minnekirken) in Chicago and Den Norske Lutherske Mindekirke (Mindekirken) in Minneapolis. Both are large, impressive structures, admired for their architectural beauty and fine craftmanship.

In addition to their Sunday services, these two churches are also cultural centers that offer Norwegian cooking classes, lutefisk dinners. musical concerts, lectures on Norwegian history and heritage, holiday bazaars, and language instruction. The 17th of May is always an important celebration.

In port cities around the United States, Norwegians also gather at the Norwegian Seamen’s churches, which have their main office in Bergen, Norway. Today, there are churches in or around Miami, Houston, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

The mission of the Norwegian Seamen’s Church is to provide a place of refuge for Norwegian seafarers, a place where they can receive spiritual and practical support. Their staff is specially trained to handle emergencies situations. The churches are also a resource for Norwegians traveling internationally and have become popular wedding destinations. The churches also serve as vibrant cultural centers for their communities, a place to come to celebrate all that is Norwegian.

The interiors of the churches can be very modern, but you can expect to find a church ship somewhere to remind you of the church’s history. Not least, the Norwegian Seamen’s Church famous for their traditional Norwegian heart-shaped waffles, symbolic of their mission to spread the love of God and give a warm welcome to their visitors from around the world.

_{Cover Image: Minnekirken, the iconic red church at Logan Square in Chicago, serves as a reminder of a neighborhood’s Norwegian heritage. Photo: Lori Ann Reinhall}