Zlatan Ibrahimovic owns it now. Can you believe that? This stunning building before us is Elimkyrkan. It wasn’t always a private residence. For many years Elimkyrkan served as a vibrant hub for Stockholm’s religious community.
Elimkyrkan was originally built in 1898. It was designed by Victor Dorph and Anders Gustaf Forsberg. The church boasted a remarkable capacity of 486 people. Imagine the hymns echoing through this space. The congregation’s history is fascinating. It started small. In 1884 just 73 members formed Stockholm’s fifth Baptist congregation. They held early services in homes. Then rented spaces. Finally this grand building became their spiritual home.
Elimkyrkan was more than just a place of worship. It was a community center a place of shared faith and fellowship. The design was exquisite. A large semi-circular window faced Storgatan. An impressive apse behind the pulpit featured a striking Christ image by Berndt Sörensen. A gallery ran along three sides of the church adding to its architectural grace. It’s easy to envision the scene. People filling the pews. The choir uplifting voices echoing off the high ceiling. The pastor delivering his message.
In 1990 Elimkyrkan merged with Birka free church. The combined congregation was known as Elimförsamlingen. Their time here ended in 2013. The congregation moved to the larger Salemkyrkan on Södermalm. The name Salemkyrkan was then changed to Folkungakyrkan.
The sale of Elimkyrkan in 2012 created quite a stir. It sold for a reported 43 million kronor. The buyers planned to transform it into a townhouse. However. The building found a far more unexpected new owner. In 2015 football superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic purchased Elimkyrkan for a reported 110 million kronor. He’s now planning a significant renovation. The building’s history continues to unfold. A testament to its enduring presence in Stockholm. A fascinating mix of faith and modern transformation. Elimkyrkan a church turned exclusive residence. It’s a true Stockholm story.