The New Church in Vágur

The process of building the new church in Vágur turned out to be very lengthy.

At a meeting on November 16, 1913, the church council in Vágur decided to write to Strømmens Trævarefabrik in Oslo to get some information about wooden churches. This factory had built the new church in Tvøroyri a few years earlier.

In 1914, they reviewed the drawings but decided it was best to announce a competition in the newspapers to design a church that could accommodate about 500 people. Initially, the church council approved a design by J.A. Arge in Tórshavn, but in January 1916, they announced another competition in the newspapers, this time specifying that the church should be made of stone. They decided to accept a proposal from Guttorm Østerø and Vilhelm Samuelsen.

When the construction was about to start, funding was lacking. The parliament had granted the church council money in 1920, but by 1923 they were unable to provide the funds.

In March 1924, another announcement was made in the newspapers. This time, the church was to be either built of stone or cast in concrete. It was to be 45 ells long and 12 ells wide. In April 1926, it was decided to accept the proposal from Sofus Johan Hofgaard, an architect from Tvøroyri.

On August 7, 1927, Jákup Dahl, the dean, laid the cornerstone for the new church.

Jacob Christiansen in Tórshavn was tasked with casting the walls. However, when architect Hofgaard pointed out in February 1928 that the builder was not adhering to the measurements, the contract was terminated. The work continued, now under the supervision of architect Hofgaard.

The project continued in this manner, and when the church was finally consecrated on Shrove Sunday, February 19, 1939, by Bishop Fuglsang-Damgaard from Denmark, more than a quarter of a century had passed since the church council in Vágur first began efforts to acquire a new church.

Source: J. P. Gregoriussen, Newer Churches

Contact Information

Address: Vágsvegur 34

Email: vags@kirkja.fo

The Salvation Army began its activities in the Faroe Islands in 1924 and started regular operations in Vágur in 1947.

The work of the Salvation Army includes congregations in Tórshavn and Vágur, as well as the shelter in Tórshavn and the treatment center "Frælsið" in Eiði.

The Salvation Army was founded in London in 1865 by William Booth.

William Booth was born in Nottingham, England, in 1828. From a very young age, he was concerned about the living conditions of the poor and was passionate about political activism to improve their circumstances. He was also a deeply religious person, eager to share the message of Jesus with his contemporaries. William quickly realized that he had to make a choice, as political efforts could temporarily alleviate poverty, but the most important thing was for people to place their lives in the hands of the Lord through faith in Jesus Christ.

Later, he understood that his spiritual life had to be intertwined with social activism, which is a good description of the work of the Salvation Army: evangelical work goes hand in hand with social work.

William had roots and served for a time as a pastor in the Methodist Church but felt that God had a different plan for him, leading to the founding of the Salvation Army.

International Mission Statement of the Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is an international evangelical movement and part of the universal Christian Church.

Its message is based on the Bible.

Its ministry is motivated by the love of God.

Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Regular Weekly Schedule of the Salvation Army in Vágur

Monday at 7:00 PM: Bible and prayer meeting

Tuesday at 9:30 AM: Orðið á borðið

Wednesday at 8:00 PM: Women of all ages are welcome.

Sunday at 12:00 PM: Sunday School

Sunday at 5:00 PM: Servant

The Salvation Army in Vágur

Congregation Leaders: Henrietta and Sámal Midjord

Address: Vágsvegur 3, P.O. Box 4, 910 Vágur

Phone: 37 31 50

Email: vag@frelsesarmeen.no

Bethel is the meeting house of the Brethren Assembly in Vágur.

The Brethren Assembly began its activities in Vágur in 1909. The first breaking of bread took place on December 12, 1909, in the home of Johan Andrias Godtfred - commonly known as Dias á Heyggi from Porkeri. Five people attended the first breaking of bread.

The first meetings were held in Dias's living room, and later, when Smith built his house, meetings alternated between Dias's and Smith's homes—they were neighbors. When there were visitors, other premises were rented, such as Niels Petur's smithy, the temperance hall, and the club. Outdoor meetings were also frequently held.

As the assembly grew, it became necessary to find another solution for the premises. In 1920, a hall was built and named Bethel. Regular meetings were held on Sundays: at 11:00 AM was the breaking of bread, at 3:00 PM was Sunday school, and at 6:00 PM was an evangelical meeting. On Wednesday evenings, there was a prayer meeting at 8:00 PM. In 1946, Bethel, along with the associated property, was made an independent institution, which the assembly still owns and operates. The institution has a seven-member board.

The board is tasked with ensuring that Bethel is used for its intended purpose—worship of God and proclamation of the gospel. In other words, it is a meeting house for God's children for worship according to the teachings of the Bible and for proclaiming Christ's pure and free gospel of a complete and eternal salvation through Christ's death and resurrection alone.

In 1950, Bethel was renovated and significantly enlarged—the last renovation was completed in 1992, which included:

• A new entrance on the north side
• Excavation and interior development of the lower floor
• Creation of a small hall
• New storage rooms, kitchen, and sanitary facilities
• Landscaping around the area and creation of a new parking area

Regular Weekly Schedule at Bethel

Sunday at 11:00 AM: Breaking of bread

Sunday at 12:30 PM: Sunday school

Sunday at 6:00 PM: Evangelical meeting

Summer at 9:00 PM: Outdoor meeting

Wednesday at 8:00 PM: Prayer and edification meeting

Saturday at 9:00 PM: Youth meetings alternating between the other assemblies on the island

Bethel in Vágur

Email: nordberg.joanes@gmail.com

Address: Vágsvegur 80

Facebook: Bethel Vágur

The Parish House is part of the the Church Home Mission in the Faroe Islands - a pietistic Christian revival movement within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Faroe Islands.Therefore, sacraments and confirmations take place in the church. A missionary is associated with Meinigheitshúsið and holds regular meetings. Otherwise, laypeople deliver the messages. The foundation is the Bible, God's holy word, for the conversion and edification of people.

The Parish House does not have fixed members and no membership registration.

The Parish House in Vágur was inaugurated on January 1, 1917. However, meetings had been held since 1905 when Axel Fr. Moe was appointed as a missionary and assistant pastor in Suðuroy (later the first parish priest of the southern Suðuroy parish). These meetings were held both in private homes, in the Temperance Hall, and outdoors. Many people attended the meetings—especially during World War II—when it was decided to expand the building with an additional hall, which can be used separately or together with the existing hall.

In recent years, the building has undergone major renovations and is now popular for renting for larger gatherings such as memorial services, confirmation parties, and other events.

Regular Weekly Schedule at the Parish House.

Sunday at 1:30 PM: Sunday School

Sunday at 6:00 PM: Meeting or at 8:00 PM: Devotional

Tuesday at 7:00 PM: Seamen's Wives' (once a month in the winter half)

Wednesday at 7:00 PM: AA meeting (entrance on the west side)

Wednesday at 7:30 PM: Youth Meeting (in the winter half)

Friday at 3:00 PM: Dagsglæma (in the winter half) see more here

Saturday at 7:00 PM: AA meeting (entrance on the west side)

In summer, the villages take turns hosting joint meetings for the whole island. Announcements will be made for mission week, Pentecost conference, joint meetings, and other events.

The Parish House in Vágur

Address: Vágsvegur 91

Email: vagsheim@olivant.fo

Facebook: Meinigheitshúsið