The reopening date for one of Cardiff's most well-loved buildings has been announced. The historic Norwegian Church remained shut throughout the pandemic but following a fundraising appeal, is set to re-open under new management.
The building, which is a café, arts centre and music venue, has been taken over by the Norwegian Church Cardiff Bay charity, with a fundraising appeal being launched last year. The charity said it planned to focus on the heritage of the church through developing displays featuring its history, starting with its building in 1868.
The church has a rich history connected to Cardiff Bay and was attended by Norwegian sailors, particularly during the Second World War, when they could not return to Norway. World famous children's author Roald Dahl was baptised there.
While the venue has been partly open for a few weeks, its official reopening is on May 17, to coincide with Norway's Constitution Day. READ MORE: The reason why thousands of tulips were left covering Cardiff Bay
The landmark building features the Norsk Café serving a selection of homemade cakes, sandwiches. Among the dishes on offer at the café are waffles and, from next week, hot dogs, and lapskaus - a meat stew similar to the Welsh cawl, but traditionally made with beef. Drinks and food will be available inside the building but also on the new terrace.
Admission to the church is free and the building also houses a gift shop showcasing the work of a collaboration of artists from across South Wales.
The building will be open from 10am-6pm on Wednesday to Sundays, with the café's kitchen closing at 4.30pm. For the reopening event on May 17, it will open at 1pm and at 4.30pm there will be a parade from the Wales Millennium Centre to the church taking place from around 4.45pm. Celebrations are set to carry on into the night and will include a flag raising outside the church as well as traditional Norwegian celebrations inside.
