Skip to main content

Småskärs kapell

Address
Småskär
Municipality
Luleå kommun
Denomination
Church of Sweden
Associated diocese
Diocese of Luleå

Far out in Luleå's archipelago, on the small island of Småskär, stands the oldest chapel in these waters, close to an old fishing settlement with its weathered boathouses. Småskärs kapell offers a glimpse of the simple, isolated worship life once shared by archipelago fishing communities.



The chapel was built sometime between 1710 and 1730, in the sheltered inlet now known as Kyrkviken. It is constructed of horizontal log timber and clad externally in traditional falu-red wooden panelling, giving it the same modest, practical appearance as the fishermen's cottages nearby.

Inside, the chapel retains a pulpit dating from the 18th century. The altarpiece, painted in 1925 by the artist recorded as either Fritiof or Fridtiof Eriksson (sources differ slightly on the spelling), is set within an older carved frame, itself dating from the 1700s.

The chapel continues to have a role in the life of the scattered archipelago community: archipelago services are said to be held here on a couple of occasions each summer, and baptisms and weddings are sometimes conducted in the building, though visitors should not assume regular or guaranteed access.

Opening hours

Opening hours have not been confirmed for the current date. This does not mean the church is closed.

Check access with the parish before travelling. Services and seasonal changes can affect visits.

Luleå domkyrkoförsamling

Småskärs kapell

Far out in Luleå's archipelago, on the small island of Småskär, stands the oldest chapel in these waters, close to an old fishing settlement with its weathered boathouses. Småskärs kapell offers a glimpse of the simple, isolated worship life once shared by archipelago fishing communities.

Småskär

Explore this church: Småskärs kapell

Church information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.

Other churches in the same diocese

Basic listing

Bygdsiljums kyrka

Bygdsiljums kyrka is a twentieth-century church building in Bygdsiljum, in Burträsk parish, Västerbotten. Built by local villagers during a period of religious revival, it has been altered repeatedly over the decades and, as of recent…

Postvägen 7, 937 33, Bygdsiljum

View church details: Bygdsiljums kyrka
Basic listing

Hietaniemi kyrka

Hietaniemi kyrka was a wooden church that stood on Kyrkudden, a headland on the Torne älv at Hedenäset, in Övertorneå parish. Once the mother church of Hietaniemi parish, it was completely destroyed by fire in…

Kyrkvägen 19, 957 95, Hedenäset

View church details: Hietaniemi kyrka

Sources & credits

Provider catalogue data: Svenska kyrkan, Platser, CC BY 4.0. Separately credited descriptions retain their stated source and licence terms. Catalogue and visiting data reformatted from the provider. The English guide combines and abridges separately credited sources below.

Provider record updated: 31 Mar 2023. This is not an independent verification date.

Source record: 4d5aac11-a82a-4477-bbef-8edfb4d942c5

Guide sources

This English guide combines, abridges and translates the sources below with AI assistance, with editorial contributions by Churches in Sweden. It has not been independently verified. The adapted guide text is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photographs and map data have their own terms.

Suggest a correction

Church data retrieved 24 Sep 2026. Visiting details have not been independently verified.

Sources, licences & reuse

Independent guide

Churches in Sweden is an independent guide. It is not an official Svenska kyrkan website and does not imply sponsorship or endorsement.

Church information

Source: Svenska kyrkan — Platser, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. English adaptations by Churches in Sweden are identified on each profile. Our adaptations solely from Platser are offered under CC BY 4.0. Guides combining Wikipedia with other compatible sources are identified individually and offered under CC BY-SA 4.0; this covers that guide text, not the whole website. Separately credited third-party material retains its stated terms. Independently written descriptions are identified on their profiles. Imported material has not been independently verified. Original names and visiting details are retained; presentation is reformatted. Each profile identifies its source record and any additional supplied credits.

You may reuse the licensed church material under CC BY 4.0, including commercially, with the required attribution, licence link and indication of changes. No additional site restriction overrides those rights. The licence does not automatically cover separately credited images or map data.

Provider disclaimer

Svenska kyrkan supplies Platser data without guaranteeing that it is correct, current, complete across its organisation, or always available. The material is provided as-is and as-available, subject to the licence’s disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability.

Svenska kyrkan kan ej garantera att den data som finns i Platser:
– är korrekt.
– är aktuell.
– är komplett för hela Svenska kyrkans organisation.
– alltid är tillgänglig.

Preserved provider agreement · Full licence

Automatic diocese associations use the organisation codes from Svenska kyrkan UnitAPI. An association does not establish ownership or denomination. External editorial sources are credited separately.

Map and photographs

Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL and © OpenMapTiles. Tiles and style are served by World Class Maps. Map rendering uses MapLibre GL JS. The map’s own attribution remains visible.

Photographs are credited individually with their own licence or permission. The API data licence does not automatically cover photographs. No images are imported automatically.