Welcome to Saint Paul Catholic Church (Sankt Paul katolske kirke), a historic Roman Catholic church set in the heart of Bergen, Norway. Positioned conveniently at Christies street and Nygård street, right between Lille Lungegårdsvann and Nygårdshøyden, this destination offers you a compelling look into the region's vibrant spiritual life. While the Bergen Catholic parish was originally established in 1858, the church structure itself was completed in 1870.
As you visit, you will be exploring the central gathering place for a rapidly expanding, diverse congregation that encompasses Hordaland (excluding Sunnhordland) and Sogn og Fjordane. The local parish has experienced remarkable growth over the years, expanding from 4,044 registered members in late 2004 to more than 12,000 believers by 2012. Because the space can feel quite small for such a large modern community, the local Catholic presence also extends to nearby St.
James's Church and the affiliated St. Paul's School—where 60% of the student body is Catholic. When you stop by, you are connecting with a unique cultural melting pot, as the parish proudly serves a deeply international population whose largest demographic groups hail from Poland and Chile.
What to see at Saint Paul Catholic Church
- Historic Roman Catholic church in Bergen, built in 1870
- Central location situated between Lille Lungegårdsvann and Nygårdshøyden
- Spiritual hub for a diverse local parish serving Polish and Chilean communities
- Connected to Bergen's Catholic history dating back to 1858
Visiting tips
Because the church is relatively small for its growing parish of over 12,000 members, plan your visit keeping potential local service crowds in mind.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Saint Paul Catholic Church is easy to reach on Bergen’s public transport, and pairs naturally with University Museum of Bergen and St Mary's Church. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Bergen travel guide.
See the full Bergen travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.