There are several long-established Nordic churches in London. All seek to provide Lutheran Christian worship and pastoral care to their respective national communities in their own languages. Many of the churches also organise language classes and organise a wide range of social activities.
The London and Hull congregations are both part of the Danske Sømands og Udlands Kirker (DSUK) - The Danish Church Abroad / Danish Seamen's Church. The DSUK was founded in 2004 through the merger of The Danish Church Abroad and The Danish Seamen's Church in Foreign Ports. The DSUK is affiliated to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark.
The Finnish Seamen's Mission and church (Suomen Merimieskirkko) is located at 33 Albion Street, Rotherhithe, London, SE16 (51°29′58″N0°3′11″W / 51.49944, -0.05306). The current Rector is the Revd Juha Rintamäki. The church also has a shop selling Finnish products and has hostel accommodation for visitors to London.
The London church and mission was first established in 1882, when the Finnish port chaplain who had been sent to Hull in 1880 was relocated south because of the level of work demanded in London. The present church building was opened in 1958 and refurbished in 2006; its distinctive architecture is recognised as a Grade II listed building. The architect was Cyrill Mardall-Sjöström.
The approach ramp to the Rotherhithe Tunnel is immediately behind the church (between Albion Street and Brunel Road). The Brunel Engine House is nearby; Rotherhithe Library is located between the Finnish Church and St Olav's Norwegian Church.
There has been a Norwegian church in London since the late 17th century. The current church building (St Olav's, designed by John Love Seaton Dahl, was consecrated in 1927, the foundation stone was laid the previous year by Prince Olav (later King Olav V of Norway). King Haakon VII and the Norwegian government in exile regularly worshipped at the church during World War II, when the church was given the status of a pro-cathedral.
The Ulrika Eleonora Swedish Parish in London is part of "Church of Sweden Abroad" (SKUT). The first church for the Swedish community in London opened in Wapping in 1728, but it was replaced and relocated in the early 20th century. There are now two Swedish churches in London - Ulrika Eleonora Church and the Seamen's Church.
The Swedish Seamen's Church was opened at 120 Lower Road, Rotherhithe (51°29′42″N0°3′3″W / 51.495, -0.05083) in 1905. The current premises were built in 1930 and partially rebuilt in 1966. As well as a church and clergy accommodation, there is also a reading room, television room, billiard room and a hostel providing overnight accommodation. The nearest London Underground station is Surrey Quays on the East London Line, followed by Canada Water on the Jubilee Line.
SKUT is accountable to the General Synod of the Church of Sweden. SKUT provides staff and funding for churches abroad. Since 2002 SKUT has been linked to the Diocese of Visby; the Bishop of Visby is responsible for episcopal oversight.