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Norwegian Seaman's Church

The Norwegian Seaman's Church (also called the Scandinavian Seaman's Church) was a Lutheran congregation that provided religious services to the Norwegian mariners who put into port at Palafox Wharf and other nearby docks. It was established on November 25, 1876 and erected a church building at the southeast corner of Palafox and Pine Street (near modern Lexington Plaza) in 1878. According to the 1885 Pensacola directory, the Reverend Peter O. Olsen conducted services only in Norwegian, and only during the six months between November 15 and May 15.[1]

Norwegian Seaman's Church
SeamansChurch.jpg
The Seaman's Church in the 1920s
Building Information
Location SE corner Palafox and Pine Streets
Completion Date 1878
Date Demolished 1934

The church building was destroyed in an August 10, 1885 fire but was rebuilt from stone. The new building was dedicated on December 5, 1886. Gustav O. Barrman is listed as the pastor in 1894.[2] The church was ultimately razed in 1934, but similar churches were built in other port cities along the Gulf Coast.[3]

Other imagesEdit

ReferencesEdit

  • Burns, Jason. The Life and Times of a Merchant Sailor: The Archaeology and History of the Norwegian Ship Catharine. 2003.