In western Reykjavík, the silhouette of Landakotskirkja, officially known as Basilika Krists konungs (The Basilica of Christ the King), rises with a flat-topped tower instead of a pointed spire. This church holds a singular position in Iceland as the country’s only Catholic cathedral, a role layered with both religious and historical significance.
A new era for Icelandic Catholicism
The story of Landakotskirkja begins in the early 19th century, when French priests Bernard Bernard and Jean-Baptiste Baudoin arrived in Iceland after the Reformation. Settling on the Landakot farmstead in Reykjavík, they established the country’s first Catholic chapel in 1864. This modest beginning was followed a few years later by the construction of a small wooden church by Túngata, close to where the cathedral now stands.
As the Catholic community gradually expanded, especially following the First World War, the desire for a larger place of worship grew. Plans for a substantial church in the Neo-Gothic style took shape, and Guðjón Samúelsson, the architect later known for designing two of Iceland’s most notable Protestant churches, Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík and Akureyrarkirkja in Akureyri, was entrusted with its design.
Years of building culminated in the cathedral’s consecration on 23 July 1929. At the time, Landakotskirkja was the largest church in Iceland. Its establishment not only provided a centre for Catholic worship but also served as a cultural and social landmark for the community. The only Catholic school in Iceland was built nearby, creating a distinct hub of religious life in the capital.
Architecture and artistic connections
Unlike many Gothic-inspired churches, Landakotskirkja is notable for its flat-topped tower, an unusual feature that gives it a recognisable profile on the Reykjavík skyline. Inside, many of the furnishings trace their roots to the acclaimed Atelier J.W. Ramakers & Sons in Geleen, Holland. Among the works delivered by this workshop are the St. Joseph altar (from 1905), the Maria altar (1928), the pulpit (1929), and the timpan and side altars (1928). Although Ramakers also designed the main altar, this centrepiece was never delivered.
Today, Landakotskirkja remains an active cathedral, with services conducted in Icelandic, Polish, and English, reflecting both the historical roots and the ongoing diversity of Iceland’s Catholic population. The patron saint of the church is Þorlákur helgi (Saint Þorlákur), a figure of notable reverence in Icelandic Christianity.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
