01 Aug Gustav Adolfs kyrka
Gustav Adolfs kyrka in Stockholm, photo by Lars Johnson is used by permission at www.tugboatlars.se
Gustav Adolfs kyrka (or in Swedish, Gustaf Adolfskyrkan.) It is a beautiful historic church located in the Östermalm area of central Stockholm, just 2 km from the World War II’s American Legation at Strandvägen 7.
The church was built during the years 1890-92 as a garrison church for the Royal SVEA Life Guards, a regiment of the Swedish Army.
I have read that after 1928 the regiments were no longer provided with places of worship, and Gustav Adolfs kyrka became a parish church. but I wonder if anything changed during the years of World War II.
The church was named after King Gustavus Adolphus the Great, King of Sweden 1611-1632. This “warrior king” is the only Swedish king honored to be called “The Great.”
Not far are the Royal Palace and key buildings for the Swedish Government. Today it is surrounded by 6 or 7 story apartment buildings as well as office buildings.
It was at this church that my parents were married on January 18, 1945. The entire American Legation was let out so they could attend the ceremony that day.
Gustav Adolfs kyrka on January 18, 1945 ~ the wedding of Lt. Herman F. Allen and Hedvig Johnson
I would love comments from anyone who has any details about what was happening at this church during World War II. I have been told that the Life Guard Regiments were actually billeted in barracks near the church.
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