Noorse kerk

From 1876 there was a Scandinavian seaman's mission in Rotterdam. In 1934 the first Danish merchant navy chaplain came to Rotterdam. The association 'Danish Seamen's Church in Foreign Ports' is active in fourteen ports around the world. From 1954 the Danes had shelter at the Swedish Seamen's Church on the Parklaan. From 1970 the Danish Seamen's Church has its own building on the Coolhaven. On 24 April 1970 the Danish Seamen's Church on the Coolhaven was officially opened. A design by the famous Danish architect Holger Jensen (1918-2004), who built almost fifty, mainly small churches. He was assisted by the Dutch architect N. Luning Prak. Queen Juliana and King Frederik of Denmark were present on this memorable day.

Nice little church, designed after Greek Orthodox churches, but with Dutch unpainted brick material. This Greek Orthodox church was built in Rotterdam in 1957. The church, which is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, is an important symbol for the Greek community in the Netherlands. The construction of the church was a long process. Shortly after the Second World War, the Association of Greeks in the Netherlands started a fundraising campaign to finance the construction. The Greek community in the Netherlands was still small at the time, but the need for its own church was great. The church was designed by the Dutch architects ir De Jongh, Taen and dr ir Thomas Nix. The design was inspired by Byzantine architecture, which plays an important role in the Greek Orthodox tradition. The church has a cross-shaped floor plan and is built of brick. The facade is decorated with a mosaic of Saint Nicholas. The construction of the church was completed in 1957 and was consecrated by the Greek Metropolitan Damaskinos of Chios. The church has since become an important centre for the Greek community in the Netherlands. Here Greeks from all over the Netherlands come together to pray, celebrate and meet each other.

As early as the 16th century, large numbers of British people lived in Rotterdam, then even called Little London, such as wool traders, soldiers and refugees from Catholicism. In 1699, 17 merchants submitted a request to the Vroedschap of Rotterdam to be allowed to build a church. The request was granted and a piece of land on the Haringvliet was given on loan. The then priest Dr Thorold raised money in 1706 for the construction of the church. Queen Anne and the Duke of Marlborough (John Churchill) donated a considerable amount and in gratitude their coats of arms were placed in the church facade. St. Mary's Church was consecrated on 22 April 1708 and has suffered many setbacks. During the Napoleonic era, the building was confiscated and used as a prison for English and Russian prisoners of war, later as a grain store and finally by the Russians as stables and storage. The interior was completely destroyed but thanks to donations from the British government and King William 1, the building could be restored. In 1864, the tower was struck by lightning and had to be removed. In 1873, the British government announced that from that moment on no financial support could be given. And so, due to lack of finances, the church fell into further disrepair. In 1878, the Colonial and Continental Church Society appeared on the scene and became the owner of the building. During the glory years of shipping and trade at the end of the 19th century, increasing international activities in the ports of Rotterdam made a facility for the reception and spiritual care of foreign seamen necessary. St. Mary's took on this task together with the Scottish church, in a building on the Boompjes. In 1893, the Mission to Seamen, a worldwide Christian organization, took over this task and still works together with St. Mary's Church, our priest divides his time between both organizations.