Did you know that Allhelgonakyrkan was intended to be temporary? This wooden church stands as a testament to faith. It also shows the power of community.
Allhelgonakyrkan is located on Södermalm. It is near Skanstull at Helgalunden. This church belongs to the Katarina parish.
In 1917, construction began on Allhelgonakyrkan. The city of Stockholm had allocated the land for a church. Viktor Södergren felt the area needed a church. He and Sällskapet för främjande av kyrklig själavård started a collection. Their aim was to build a small church. Joel Norborg designed Allhelgonakyrkan. He drew inspiration from 1700s Swedish rural churches. It was to be a temporary structure. After about ten years, it would be replaced. A permanent stone church would take its place.
Archbishop Nathan Söderblom dedicated Allhelgonakyrkan on April 28, 1918. He also gave the church its name. Sällskapet owned the church initially. Katarina parish used it without paying rent. The parish covered operating costs. In 1929, the society offered the church as a gift. The parish declined. It also ended its commitment to cover operating costs.
In 1930, people feared closure. They even worried about demolition of Allhelgonakyrkan. So, friends of the church formed Föreningen Allhelgonakyrkans vänner. This group covered operating costs for years. In 1958, the society gifted the church to the friends. In 1972, Allhelgonakyrkans vänner gave the church to Katarina parish.
Allhelgonakyrkan faced challenges. In 1927, they replaced the floor due to fungus. In 1937, the tower’s wood shingles were replaced with copper. The roof was repaired in 1948.
Allhelgonakyrkan is a brown wooden church. It has a long building with a north-south orientation. A square tower marks the north end. The tower has a copper roof. A pointed spire rises above. The spire is topped with a cross. The south end features a chancel extension. Brown painted panels cover the exterior walls. The church walls and ceiling feature paintings by Filip Månsson. He also designed the chancel window. It displays symbols for the Father, Son, and Spirit.
Inside Allhelgonakyrkan, the altarpiece is a triptych. Erik Abrahamson created it in 1960. It depicts the risen Christ. He is surrounded by saints for whom Stockholm churches are named.
The wooden pulpit stands near the chancel. Its panels are decorated with images of the apostles. A canopy was added in 1961. Green, blue, and reddish-brown colors adorn the pulpit. The wooden font features carved decorations. A brass baptismal dish accompanies it.
Allhelgonakyrkan’s original bell was borrowed. It was purchased from Sophiahemmet in 1931. A second new bell was dedicated that same year.
Allhelgonakyrkan boasts two organs. Åkerman & Lund built one in 1917. It had seven stops. They built another in 1957. This one had ten stops. The current mechanical organ was built in 1990. Ålems Orgelverkstad AB created it. The choir organ was built in 1975 by Åkerman & Lund Orgelbyggeri AB.
The story of Allhelgonakyrkan is inspiring. It is a tale of community support. It is a testament to the enduring power of faith. This temporary church became a lasting landmark.