Fríkirkjan í Hafnarfirði

Background

History & Background

The Free Church congregation of Hafnarfjörður was founded on 20 April 1913. Construction of its church began later that year, and the building was consecrated on 14 December 1913 after only a few months of work. Master carpenter Davíð Kristjánsson designed the original church. In 1931 major alterations enlarged the tower and extended the chancel under the direction of master carpenter Guðmundur Einarsson. Further additions were made in 1955 and in the early 1980s. In 1998 the church was extensively renovated and reconsecrated on 18 December. The congregation acquired its first parish hall at Austurgata 24 in 1988 and its present facilities on Linnetsstígur in 1995.

Fríkirkjan í Hafnarfirði was built in 1913 and consecrated on 14 December that year. The Free Church congregation itself had been founded on 20 April 1913, the First Day of Summer. Davíð Kristjánsson, a master carpenter in Hafnarfjörður, designed the original timber church. Major alterations followed as the congregation and building evolved. In 1931 the tower was enlarged and the chancel was extended, with the work designed by master carpenter Guðmundur Einarsson. Further additions were made in 1955, including stair structures beside the tower and a vestry south of the chancel. Additional extensions and entrances were added in the early 1980s. In 1998 the church underwent an extensive interior and exterior renovation and was reconsecrated on 18 December. The church contains several notable artistic and musical features. Four stained-glass windows were installed in the chancel in 1972 using donated funds. Its musical tradition stretches back to the congregation’s earliest years and has included a succession of harmoniums and pipe organs. A six-stop Icelandic pipe organ built by organ builder Björgvin Tómasson was installed in 1998. The congregation purchased its first parish hall at Austurgata 24 in 1988 and acquired the present parish facilities on Linnetsstígur in 1995. More than a century after its construction, Fríkirkjan remains an active church and an important part of Hafnarfjörður’s architectural, social and cultural heritage.