Imagine naval officers seeking respite. They needed a haven on the island of Skeppsholmen. That’s how the story of Prästgården begins.
Prästgården. It means “The Parsonage” in Swedish. This building stands on Skeppsholmen in central Stockholm. It’s a testament to changing times and evolving needs.
Back in the 1730s, the island’s workforce needed a place to rest. In 1739, a one-story building arose south of today’s Moderna Museet. Its stone floor earned it the nickname Stenkrogen. This meant “The Stone Tavern”. It was a simple canteen for the workers.
Later in the 1700s, naval reserve forces moved in. By the 1840s, Prästgården transformed again. It became a school and a residence for the battalion chaplain. He was also a teacher there. Around 1840 the building was rebuilt as a school and residence for the preacher. He was at the same time a teacher at the school.
Architects Fredrik Blom and Victor Ringheim reshaped Prästgården. In 1866, it gained its current look. This included two stories and arched windows. Large windows were added at the western end to meet new state policies for school buildings.
In the 1920s, the school became a place of religious activity. Renovations from 1926 to 1927 turned the schoolroom into a parish hall. The rest of the building became a home for the Skeppsholm parish vicar. The building was repaired again to accommodate the naval station’s priest. A chapel and idyllic garden were added. This is when it officially became Prästgården.
Prästgården became a state building monument in 1935. Today, Statens fastighetsverk manages it. Currently, Föreningen Svensk Form leases it.
Today, Prästgården is part of the Modern Museum. It serves as a sculptural park. So, as you explore this space, remember its layered past. From tavern to school to parsonage, Prästgården has adapted to serve the people of Skeppsholmen. It stands as a reminder that buildings can evolve. They reflect the changing needs of a community.