Swedish church to close after 125 years
Feb 16 2008 by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo
THE future of Liverpool’s Scandinavian seamen’s church was in doubt today after Swedish leaders decided to leave the city.
The Church of Sweden is switching the focus of its international work to South East Asia and the Americas.
It plans to close the Park Lane church by the end of 2008. It is not yet known what will happen to the grade II listed building, but it could be sold off.
That would mean the end of 125 years’ of worship on the site for Liverpool’s Scandinavian and Nordic communities, unless they were able to buy the building.
Ulf Soderlind, who came to Liverpool last summer from Sweden to be pastor, said the news was “very hard” for his congregation.
The church has several hundred members, although weekly numbers are between 25 and 40.
Mr Soderlind said: “Of course the Church of Sweden needs to review its entire activities all over the world. I know there are also more Swedes in North and South America.
“The rector in London will have responsibility for all Swedes in UK and Ireland.”
The first Scandinavian settlers came to the area in the 9th Century and the traditional dish of Scouse has its origins as lobskause.