Landakotskirkja
Encyclopedia
Landakotskirkja formally named Basilika Krists konungs ("The Basilica of Christ the King"), is the cathedral of the Catholic Church in Iceland
. It is often referred to as Kristskirkja ("Christ's Church"). Landakotskirkja is located in the western part of Reykjavík
, on the Landakot property. It has a distinctively flat top, as opposed to the standard spire. Its architect is Guðjón Samúelsson
, who also built the famous Hallgrímskirkja
and the Akureyrarkirkja
in Akureyri.
The first Catholic priests to arrive in Iceland after the Reformation
were the Frenchmen Bernard Bernard
and Jean-Baptiste Baudoin
. They bought the Landakot farmstead in Reykjavík and settled there in the early 19th century. They built a small chapel in 1864. A few years later, a small wooden church was erected by Túngata, close to Landakot. After the First World War, Icelandic Catholics saw the need to build a bigger church for the growing number of Catholics. They decided to build a Neo-Gothic church and entrusted the task to the architect Guðjón Samúelsson
. After years of construction, Landakotskirkja was finally sanctified on the 23rd of July 1929. It was the largest church in Iceland at the time. Today, Landakotskirkja is a distinct landmark in western Reykjavík. The only Catholic school in Iceland, Landakotsskóli
, is located nearby on the same land.
Roman Catholicism in Iceland
The Roman Catholic Church in Iceland is part of the Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope. The current Bishop of the Diocese of Reykjavík is H.E. Msgr. Pierre Bürcher...
. It is often referred to as Kristskirkja ("Christ's Church"). Landakotskirkja is located in the western part of Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, on the Landakot property. It has a distinctively flat top, as opposed to the standard spire. Its architect is Guðjón Samúelsson
Guðjón Samúelsson
Guðjón Samúelsson was a State Architect of Iceland.Notable designs include main building of the University of Iceland, the National Theatre of Iceland, the Landakot Roman Catholic Cathedral in Reykjavík and the Church of Akureyri; however his final and most recognized work is the Hallgrímskirkja...
, who also built the famous Hallgrímskirkja
Hallgrímskirkja
The Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran parish church in Reykjavík, Iceland. At 74.5 metres , it is the largest church in Iceland and the sixth tallest architectural structure in Iceland after Longwave radio mast Hellissandur, the radio masts of US Navy at Grindavík, Eiðar longwave transmitter and...
and the Akureyrarkirkja
Akureyrarkirkja
Akureyrarkirkja or The Church of Akureyri is a prominent Lutheran church in Akureyri, northern Iceland. Located in the centre of the city, and towering above the city on a hill, it was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, and completed in 1940....
in Akureyri.
The first Catholic priests to arrive in Iceland after the Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
were the Frenchmen Bernard Bernard
Bernard Bernard
Bernard Bernard was a French Catholic priest and missionary in Norway, Iceland and Scotland. He was the first Prefect Apostolic of Norway and Lapland from 1869 to 1887.-Life:...
and Jean-Baptiste Baudoin
Jean-Baptiste Baudoin
Jean-Baptiste Baudoin was a French Catholic priest and missionary in Iceland.-Life:...
. They bought the Landakot farmstead in Reykjavík and settled there in the early 19th century. They built a small chapel in 1864. A few years later, a small wooden church was erected by Túngata, close to Landakot. After the First World War, Icelandic Catholics saw the need to build a bigger church for the growing number of Catholics. They decided to build a Neo-Gothic church and entrusted the task to the architect Guðjón Samúelsson
Guðjón Samúelsson
Guðjón Samúelsson was a State Architect of Iceland.Notable designs include main building of the University of Iceland, the National Theatre of Iceland, the Landakot Roman Catholic Cathedral in Reykjavík and the Church of Akureyri; however his final and most recognized work is the Hallgrímskirkja...
. After years of construction, Landakotskirkja was finally sanctified on the 23rd of July 1929. It was the largest church in Iceland at the time. Today, Landakotskirkja is a distinct landmark in western Reykjavík. The only Catholic school in Iceland, Landakotsskóli
Landakotsskóli
The Landakot School is one of the oldest running schools in Iceland, established in 1896. Centered in Reykjavik, the school tries to make itself as homelike as possible. Students attending the school range in age from 5-16 years old; in Iceland this is 1st-10th grade.-History:Founded in 1896...
, is located nearby on the same land.
See also
- Diocese of ReykjavíkDiocese of ReykjavíkThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Reykjavík is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church which covers the whole of the country of Iceland, which had 10,207 Catholics on January 1, 2011...
- Bishop of Reykjavík (Catholic)Bishop of Reykjavik (Catholic)-The Christianization of Iceland:The Norsemen who settled in Iceland from the end of the ninth century were pagans; and it was one of the functions of their chieftains, called goði, to conduct religious services...
- Roman Catholicism in IcelandRoman Catholicism in IcelandThe Roman Catholic Church in Iceland is part of the Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope. The current Bishop of the Diocese of Reykjavík is H.E. Msgr. Pierre Bürcher...
- Religion in IcelandReligion in IcelandReligion in Iceland was initially the Norse paganism that was a common belief among mediaeval Scandinavians until Christian conversion. Later, the nation became half-Christian and then more fully Christian. This increasing Christianization culminated in the Pietism period when non-Christian...