September 13th, 2015
Destination? Hallgrimskirkja, Lutheran Church, Reykjavik, Iceland, Sunday is a Day of Worship, The Churches in My Travels
In Reykjavik, Iceland, the Hallgrimskirkja Church is one of the most iconic buildings in town. It is visible from almost anywhere in the city. Arriving in the city it was a good way to first stop and check this beautiful church that was designed in 1937. The construction began in 1945 and ended in 1986. It was designed to resemble the basalt lava flows of Iceland’s landscape.
In front of the Church is the statue of Leifur Eriksson, the first European to discover America. Records indicate that he landed on the shores of the New World in the year 1,000 a.d. That’s 500 years before Christopher Columbus.
Churches are places of worship. I always like to stop and give thanks and pray for my family and friends. Churches have heard the cries of those afflicted and the many thanks of those who have received graces.
At the end of this street you can see the church. This whole street in the center of Reykjavik is in rainbow colors for the capital’s annual Pride Festival. Iceland is one of the most progressive countries for LGBTI rights, and voted in the world’s first openly gay head of state. The rainbow will be there until the end of summer.
The church is very modern inside, and it did not exude warmth. The huge pipe organ was designed and constructed by the German organ builder, Johannes Klais of Bonn.
The following painting took me by surprise. Did not see any information about it, but plenty of people were having their photos taken next to it. It was one of those moments when you scratch you head and say “what the heck?”
Tags: Activities, Hallgrimskirkja Church, Iceland, The Churches in My Travels, Travel to Iceland, Travel to Reykjavik
WOW!! What a wonderful vacation for you and Michael!