Faith

Who lives in a house like this?

If you've ever wondered what is inside this building on Linthorpe Road, it may surprise you to find out it's a Scandinavian church.

The church has been in the North East since 1876, providing a home for seamen abroad. Father Thomas Grunnesjo tells us about the church and how it has changed with the times.

"The accommodation on ships wasn't very good in the past, so sailors used to come here to socialise, call home, read newspapers and attend services."

""It is different now, as the sailors don't really use the church as they don't have the time anymore, but plenty of other people use this place"

"Local people from Sweden, their families and locals attend the church services but the main use of the building is for social events, such as the anglo-Scandanavian Society, race nights, talks and parties."

"University groups rent the space for rehearsals and we rent the flat upstairs to students too."

"We also have a Scandinavian cafe which Monica and Evy run on Saturdays and since we started it, people like to drop in, especially when they've wondered in the past what the building was for."

"This church is currently under threat, as the Scandinavian want to close one of their four UK bases."

"We love this building and love the mixed community that uses it, and if we had the money we would buy it."

Monica, who has been there for 37 years and works at the church with her husband says, " It's the first place you get taken to when you move here, and of course, people come and go but the place has always been here."