Norwegian Seamen's Church

The Norwegian Seamen's Church is a wooden structure featuring a prominent tall spire and design elements rooted in Scandinavian building traditions. The building displays crafted details throughout its exterior and occupies a location within Rotterdam's harbor district.

The church was constructed in 1914 using timber components shipped directly from Norway to the Netherlands. In 1937, the entire structure was relocated to its current site to make way for construction of the Maas Tunnel.

The church serves as a gathering place where Norwegian seafarers and immigrant communities maintain their traditions and celebrate together. Regular services in Norwegian language keep cultural heritage alive and provide a sense of home for those far from Norway.

The church is located on Westzeedijk in the harbor area and can be reached on foot when exploring the nearby park district. Visitors will find it is set up to offer support and resources specifically designed for seafaring communities and their families.

Norwegian carpenters assembled the building on-site after all components arrived from their home country, creating an authentic Norwegian structure in the middle of the Netherlands. This hands-on construction method made the church distinctly different from other religious buildings in Rotterdam.

Location: Rotterdam

Inception: 1914

Architects: Magnus Poulsson, Arnstein Arneberg

Architectural style: Norwegian romantic nationalism

Address: Westzeedijk 300-304, 3016 AP Rotterdam

Website: https://sjomannskirken.no/benelux

GPS coordinates: 51.90833,4.46833

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:51