Individuals have a look at wood Kiruna Church at its ultimate location after a two-day transfer from the outdated city to the brand new metropolis heart, in Kiruna, northern Sweden, on August 20.
Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP through Getty Photographs
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Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP through Getty Photographs
A 113-year-old church in Sweden arrived at its new residence Wednesday after a two-day, three mile journey throughout town of Kiruna.
“I believe it is the biggest wooden constructing in Sweden,” stated Vicar Lena Tjärnberg of the Kiruna Church. “It is such as you’re going into a ship. That is the identical feeling. Nevertheless it’s a really large boat.”
The large, purple timber church, with its sharp peaks and triangular kinds, is the most recent constructing to trundle its means from the outdated city heart to forestall the native iron ore mine from swallowing it up.
“The mine is essential for us right here in Kiruna. We’re a mine city. If you do not have a mine, you do not have town,” Tjärnberg stated. “And the mine is coming nearer and the bottom is getting cracks.”
On Tuesday, the 600-ton church was gently lifted onto two vehicles and slowly rolled away.
“They’ve like two vehicles with loads of wheels.” Tjärnberg stated. “I believe it is like 130 wheels.”
She stated two engineers sat contained in the church because it moved, listening for potential cracks.
Kiruna is Sweden’s northernmost metropolis. Relocating a lot of Kiruna’s buildings is predicted to take one other 10 years. Tjärnberg stated tearing down the church to construct a brand new one simply wasn’t an possibility due to its significance to the group.
“They’ve grown up within the church, they’ve performed out within the park across the church. They’ve been like a house for individuals, and I believe that is Kiruna’s soul indirectly,” Tjärnberg stated.
For Tjärnberg, the transfer is bittersweet.
“I am a bit apprehensive in regards to the church too. It should really feel totally different once I open the church door and it is not in the identical place as a result of we now have beloved this place,” she stated. “It is just like the skyline of Kiruna. All over the place you are in Kiruna, you’ll be able to see the church. Otherwise you noticed the church as a result of it is on the transfer now.”
Till now, she may see the church from her kitchen window.
“For 9 years I’ve stated good morning and good evening to the church,” she stated. “And once I got here again as we speak to my residence and if it appeared out, it is a building web site I have a look at.”
However she sees extra alternative now.
“Each change, you are able to do one thing good with it,” Tjärnberg stated. “We’re going to do one thing good.”
The vicar hopes to reopen the church by Christmas subsequent yr.
