"The Norwegian Church" Top 5 Page for this destination Norwegian Church Tip by ettiewyn

When I I arrived at Cardiff Bay and first saw the Norwegian Church from the Aquabus, it indeed felt a little surreal. The building looks so Scandinavian that it really looked out of place here! So why is there a Norwegian Church in Cardiff at all? It is because in the 19th century, many Norwegian sailors lived in Cardiff Bay. It was one of the most multicultural places in the world because the coal trade attracted so many workers, and the Norwegian community was very big. They needed their own place to worship and to have social care, so guess who donated some land to them? Yes, the Marquess of Bute.
In 1868, the church was built and it served as a place of worship and meeting place for Norwegians until the 1970s. The Norwegian-Welsh writer Roald Dahl was christened here. Roald Dahl Plass between the waterfront and the Millennium Centre is also named after him.
After it was out of use, the church fell into disrepair and was then dismantled to prevent its total dilapidation.
When the redevelopment of Cardiff Bay started, the church was re-erected and renovated on a new site (where it stands now). Roald Dahl himself was president of the reservation trust, although sadly he died before the work was completed.

The church is now an arts centre and café. I did not visit the café, but I had a look at the exhibition by a local painter. In addition, there are also dance classes, yoga classes, concerts and other community projects. I think it is nice that the church now again is a meeting place for local people, where they can meet, chat and have a good time - just as it was to the Norwegian sailors a hundred years ago.

Address: Harbour Drive
Directions: At the waterfront
Phone: 029 2087 7959
Website: http://www.norwegianchurchcardiff.com