Sundsvall Gustav Adolf Church was completed in 1894.
Before today's church, there had previously been three churches. The first was a wooden church, built in the latter part of the 1620s. It stood by the Selångers river at the river bend, where Mid Sweden University (Mittuniversitetet) is located today.
The town centre moved eastward towards the sea. The wooden church was demolished and became part of a larger church built on the site where the Town Hall now stands. This was thus Sundsvall's second church. It was painted red and surrounded by a courtyard. In Bremö Chapel there is an altarpiece dated 1644 that was used in this church. Its motif is the Last Supper.
Sundsvall received its third church as a result of a Russian raiding expedition, which burned down the town on 25 May 1721. The second church was, admittedly, still usable, but plans were immediately begun for a larger and better-situated church. The new church was built in stone and placed on the sand ridge where the current church stands. The third church was consecrated in 1753 and was named after Queen Lovisa Ulrika.
**First fire**
Sundsvall was devastated by a disastrous fire on Midsummer Day 1888. Only the buildings north of the Selångers river were spared. The rebuilding resulted in the stately "Stenstan" (Stone Town). The church council announced an architectural competition for a new church. The winner was the proposal drawn up by architect Gustaf Hermansson.
Sundsvall's fourth church was built in the Neo-Gothic style, meaning that the nave and side aisles have the same roof height. The Gothic style is also reflected in the clustered pillars, ribbed vaults and pointed-arch windows.
The altarpiece and pulpit were made in dark brown-painted oak. The chancel windows have stained glass depicting the birth of Jesus, the resurrection and the ascension. The side windows in the chancel depict "The Creation of Man" and "The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit".
**Restorations of the church**
An extensive renovation was carried out in 1950–1952. At that time, an external sculptural decoration was added. Above the main entrance, a sculpture group carved in granite, "Praise to the Lord". Above the south entrance a crucifix in Gotland limestone (gutasten), and above the north entrance a cross in dark wood.
In the chancel, a sculpture group carved in wood by Ivar Lindekranz was installed. The central group shows Jesus with the children. To the left sits Mary with the infant Jesus. To the right walk three men carrying the message onward. The group conveys a peaceful religious experience.
A new pulpit with intarsia motifs from the parables of Jesus was added, but the earlier canopy was retained. The old altarpiece was moved to the baptismal chapel in the south.
In 1988 it was once again time for restoration, with a thorough transformation of the chancel.
The altar was replaced with a lighter altar table, the fixed front pew rows were replaced with free-standing chairs. The altar rail was made movable. This brings the priest closer to the congregation and creates a greater sense of community. The choir is placed behind the altar against the chancel wall, and overall greater possibilities for variation are created for masses, services and other events.
A new, movable font in a style matching the altar table and altar rail was added. In the northern part of the chancel, a new chapel with an altar was arranged for weekday masses and private devotion. The newly renovated church was consecrated on 25 September 1988 by Bishop Bengt Hallgren.
**Second fire**
1 October 1988 became a dark day in the history of Gustav Adolf Church (the church received that name in 1955). Malicious individuals broke into the church and started fires in several places. Parts of the church were completely burned out, and the whole building suffered complete smoke damage.
Not until 3 September 1989 was the church ready to be reconsecrated. The whole church had by then been cleaned and repainted. The north gallery, with the sacristy beneath it, had been rebuilt. A new altar had been made. New textiles had been acquired. A new grand piano and harpsichord had been purchased. Decorative paintings had been added in the ceiling vaults. Such paintings had previously existed in the church, but they were removed during the 1950 renovation. They now form a fine colour complement to the chancel windows.
Bishop Bengt Hallgren had the opportunity, for the second time, to reconsecrate Sundsvall Gustav Adolf Church.
**Facts, Gustav Adolf Church**
Consecrated 2 December 1894. The church cockerel is 1.3 m high and 1.45 m wide. The church tower is 81 m tall. The roof spire is 36 m from the top of the wall. The clock faces are 3.6 m in diameter.
The church is accessible for those with mobility impairments. We have an induction loop for those with a hearing impairment.
Sundsvall Gustav Adolfs Kyrka