Imagine a krog. It has an outdoor seating area. Now imagine a church. That is the story of Andreaskyrkan.
Welcome to Andreaskyrkan. This church has a rich history. It is located in the Pelarbacken quarter of Södermalm in Stockholm. Andreaskyrkan belongs to the Equmenia Church. This is a denomination with about 60,000 members in Sweden.
Before 1870 a tavern stood here. It had an outdoor seating area. In 1877 Andreaskyrkan’s mission congregation built a church. It was then called “New Mission House”. Axel Kumlien and Hjalmar Kumlien designed the church. It was inaugurated on October 14, 1877.
In 1917 the church was renamed Andreaskyrkan. It was named after the Apostle Andrew. Before that it was known as “Lutheran Mission House”. Other names included “Prayer House on Söder” and “Southern Mission House”.
Andreaskyrkan saw its highest membership in the early 1900s. There were 1010 members then. A major renovation took place in 1924. The artist Gunnar Torhamn painted a new backdrop.
Andreaskyrkan started a summer program in 1938. It took place at Klubbensborg in Mälarhöjden. This activity still continues. In 1955 the church founded Andreashemmet. It was a home for the elderly. It was located at Gamla Dalarövägen 48–54 in Gamla Enskede. The home closed. The building was sold in the late 1990s.
Another renovation happened in 1971. The old pews were replaced with rows of chairs. A platform was arranged at the front of the church hall. During a major renovation in the 1980s the church got its present appearance. The height of the church room was reduced. A new intermediate floor was added. The new lower floor housed a prayer room. It also included a parish hall, kitchen, café and office. Architect Bo Sahlin designed this renovation.
The City Museum of Stockholm has given the building a green classification. This means that it is considered particularly valuable. This value comes from a historical, cultural, environmental or artistic point of view.
Andreaskyrkan is open every Tuesday. It is open from 11 am to 2 pm. You are welcome to enjoy a coffee. You can chat. You can have a quiet moment. Or you can just look at the church. At 12:30 pm a lunch prayer is held in the prayer room.
Andreaskyrkan wants to be a church open to meeting God and people. It wants to give space. This space is for a thoughtful faith. It should be marked by the warmth and generosity of Jesus.
Today Andreaskyrkan stands as a testament to faith. It is a community hub in Södermalm. It is a place where history and modern life intertwine. Take a moment to appreciate its story. Think of the people who have passed through its doors. Consider the changes it has witnessed. Andreaskyrkan is more than just a building. It is a living legacy. It is a testament to the enduring power of community and faith.