Skip to main content

Vivstavarvs kapell

Address
Vivstavarvsvägen 20, 86134, Timrå
Municipality
Timrå Kommun
Denomination
Church of Sweden
Associated diocese
Diocese of Härnösand

Vivstavarvs kapell stands close to the sea at Vivsta in Timrå, in the Härnösand diocese. Originally built for another purpose entirely, this small red-brick chapel has an unusual history and a striking, castle-like appearance that repays a visit.



The building dates from 1891, when it was constructed as a fire-engine house (spruthus) for the Vivstavarv shipyard, to designs by the architect Andreas Bugge in a Neo-Romanesque style. Its red brick walls, round-arched windows and doors, and a round tower housing the entrance give it the look of a small fortress rather than a conventional church.

In 1959 the managing director Wilhelm Lilliestråle had the former fire-house converted into a chapel, and in 1983 it passed into the care of Timrå parish. The cross-shaped plan and fortress-like massing remain from its industrial origins, making it a distinctive example of a building repurposed for worship.

Among the chapel's furnishings is a votive ship made by August Kjellén, depicting the barque Eulalia, which was built at the Vivstavarv shipyard in 1863 — a fitting link between the chapel and the maritime and industrial community it once served.

The font is also notable: its bowl was made by the artist Harry Ekelund of Kvissleby, while its base was fashioned from a 20-metre pine tree said to date from the 1700s.

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.

Facilities & accessibility

  • Parking
  • Toilet
  • Café
  • Ramp
  • Accessible toilet

Listed by the provider; availability has not been independently checked. An unlisted facility is not necessarily unavailable.

A listed ramp does not confirm step-free access throughout the building.

Timrå församling

Vivstavarvs kapell

Vivstavarvs kapell stands close to the sea at Vivsta in Timrå, in the Härnösand diocese. Originally built for another purpose entirely, this small red-brick chapel has an unusual history and a striking, castle-like appearance that repays a visit.

Vivstavarvsvägen 20, 86134, Timrå

Explore this church: Vivstavarvs 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

English guide

Ragunda gamla kyrka

Church in Revsund-Sundjö-Bodsjö parish, Sydöstra Jämtlands pastorat, eastern district. The church was probably built sometime between 1364 and 1510 in typical late medieval style. Open in summer 2026, daily 22 June - 2 August 11:00-16:00…

Read the guide: Ragunda gamla kyrka
Basic listing

Lidens kyrka

Lidens kyrka is a striking and richly decorated church in Sundsvall municipality, Västernorrland. Rebuilt on a grand scale in the mid-19th century, it remains a landmark for its parish and a memorable stop for anyone…

Lidenvägen 108, 855 99, Liden

View church details: Lidens kyrka
Basic listing

Boteå kyrka

Boteå kyrka is a medieval stone church in the Ådalen valley, notable for its star vaults and an adjoining side chapel known as the "lillkyrka". A free-standing bell tower stands separately from the main building,…

Västerhällan 212, Undrom

View church details: Boteå 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: 24 Apr 2025. This is not an independent verification date.

Source record: ac2df52d-c540-4a10-8e25-8c77efb8ec66

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.