Tucked away amidst the vibrant streets of Stockholm lies Sabbatsbergs Church (Sabbatsbergs kyrka in Swedish), a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by locals and visitors alike. This charming church, with its rich history and serene atmosphere, offers a unique glimpse into the spiritual heritage of the city while providing a peaceful retreat from the urban hustle and bustle.

The church building Sabbatsberg

Sabbatsbergs Church stands as Stockholm’s oldest preserved wooden church, bearing witness to Norrmalm’s rich history. Nestled in the Sabbatsberg area, this yellow-painted wooden structure was originally erected in 1717 as a residence, later known as Sabbatsberg’s manor house. Commissioned by Valentin Sabbath, a wine steward and innkeeper, the house served both as a private residence and an inn until Sabbath’s passing in 1720. Subsequently, it continued its role as an inn, with a red-painted loft building added in the 1730s, potentially providing accommodation for the inn’s guests.

The estate was purchased in 1751 by Stockholm’s poorhouse delegates and was converted into a church in 1761. The old loft building was then transformed into a sacristy. During the renovation, interior walls and ceilings were removed, and the roof was painted sky blue. A pietà by Lorentz Pasch the Elder became the altarpiece, and the building was clad with paneling and painted white trim during the renovation, with the loft building also paneled and painted to match the church. The paneling of the loft building was removed in 1949, revealing the original timber structure underneath.

Sabbatsbergs Church also included a cemetery. Here, there was also a mortuary chapel which was demolished in the 1880s when the fifth gasometer of Klaragasverket was built. Instead, a new mortuary chapel with a morgue was established in an outbuilding dating back to 1849, located behind the church. The building is now called Slöjdhuset.

The furnishings of Sabbatsbergs Church

The church features an altar pulpit from 1830 by court architect Per Axel Nyström. The church organ was donated in 1804 and was repaired during the renovation from 1828 to 1830. Sabbatsbergs’ two church bells are located in Nicolaihuset adjacent to the church, which originally served as a poorhouse for Storkyrkan. The older bell dates back to 1734, while the newer one is from 1788. The newer bell bears an engraved inscription: “When this poorhouse gives food to the needy, grace sheds light on the spiritually dead.