Katarina Church, Stockholm

Finalized in 1694 Katarina Church was the church of the newly formed parish on the island of Söder in Stockholm.

Today it's a clear landmark for all of Söder, easily visible from the waterfront by the Grand Hotel, Skeppsholmen or one side of th old town.

The church completely burnt in 1990 and only the outer walls remained. It was reopened in 1995.

The nationwide famous band Imperiet have even written a song bearing it's name. "Katarina klockor", "The Bells of Katarina"

If the reconstruction of the exterior and also the construction tecnique was very true to the earlier church, the interior part has been made with new solutions, regarding both placement of benches, altar and priest pulpet.
In the choir there is a Gogate scene, made by the sculptur Liss Eriksson and the textile master Kajsa Melanton, called "Presence through absence". You can see the cross, the clothes and the wreath (crown) of thorns.
[When taking the picture there were still missing a star above and some ligting beams, but this have now been completed]

Katarina Church on Södermaln is one of the beatiful churches of Stockholm. This church was destroyed in a fire in 1990 and was rebuilt in 1995. The new church looks exactly as the old one that have been on this place since the 18'th century.

The fire in 1990 (17 May) was a shocking event. This church was a memory for many persons living around in Södermalm. Many were those who remembered their wedding, baptism and confirmation ceremonies. Although Sweden is a very secularized country we do apreciate these old christian buildings and admire all the efforts for the people at that time to construct such great things. I think that this heart breaking fire did give strength to many people to as soon as possible reconstruct the church.
The picture show the church bell who lost its tune when falling down. The church bell is lying outside the church and you can see the crack.

This almost pyramidical church gives a most impressive sight. It is easy to capture from long distance.
In the reconstruction work which was made in very determined way they did use old tecnique with the same materials that had been used 300 years ago. (We know that they will last for minimum 300 years to come.)
To make all wood frame constructions old manners with hand made nails and oak wooden nail were used. Birch barc was used as humid barrier between stones and wood, as had been done before (several 1000 square meters were used). The great central arche that had collapsed, was reconstructed with special made big stones with the same measures as the old stones.

The history of Katarina church dates back to the 1620, when Jean de la Valle got the mission by the King to design it. 1695 it was completed.
1990 the church was destroyed by a fire. Very soon thereafter it was decided to reconstruct the church and all efforts were set to collect funds.
The cost for the reconstruction was 28 million USD.
1995 the new built church was inaugerated.
This church makes a big landmark seen from the sea when coming into the central parts of Stockholm.