The Welsh Norwegian society are worried that the church would lose its significance if it is leased out for use as a private business.
The Norwegian church in Cardiff Bay is a historic building and is currently home to a cafe and art gallery. People are worried that if the church is changed then it could lose its value to the community.The Welsh Norwegian society started a petition last year asking Cardiff Council to drop the plan of converting it into a private commercial business.
The church was built in 1868 by Norwegian sailors and is the oldest overseas church they ever built. The church which is now owned by a charity called the Norwegian Church Preservation trust is an iconic building. It is loved by the visitors and the residents.
Today it is an important events venue and a significant monument for Welsh Norwegians. Frequent visitor Charles Parker says “It is a lovely building and there are lovely people who work in here.”
According to the Welsh Norwegian Society a considerable amount of grants and charitable donations have been provided from Norway and Wales to renovate the church.
But not everybody in the council agrees with the plan to lease the church to a private tenant.
Neil McEvoy, a Cardiff Councillor for the Welsh National Party told Cardiff News Plus: “The Council would sell anything they could for not a great deal of money. The Church is a part of the city’s cultural DNA. The integrity of the Church needs to be protected.”
But, Cardiff Council says that they are not selling off the church and want to keep it open to visitors.
A spokesperson for the council said: “The Council is not selling the Norwegian Church. It is hoping to secure a suitable tenant who will appreciate the Church’s iconic status and history in the Bay using both to deliver a fantastic experience for visitors. Our primary focus has always been on securing the future of the building so that visitors and residents can enjoy it for years to come.”