St. Peter's Catholic Church, Akureyri

Background

History & Background

The building at Hrafnagilsstræti 2 was originally constructed as a residence in the early 1930s. The Catholic Church acquired it in the early 1950s. It was extensively converted into a church between 1998 and 2000 and subsequently consecrated as Péturskirkja. St. Peter's Parish serves Catholics throughout North Iceland.

St. Peter's Church, Péturskirkja, serves the Catholic parish covering North Iceland and stands at Hrafnagilsstræti 2 in Akureyri. The church is housed in a historic timber residence rather than a building originally designed as a church. The Catholic Church acquired the property in the early 1950s. The house was then extensively rebuilt and adapted for worship between 1998 and 2000. The parish and church became an increasingly important centre for Catholics across northern Iceland, and the building was formally consecrated as Péturskirkja in the early 2000s. Today regular Masses are held throughout the week and the church is also open during the day for private prayer. Because it stands close to central Akureyri, it is easy to combine with a walk around the older residential streets, Akureyrarkirkja and the town centre.