English church close: - It is a little sad

The Danish seaman's church in the English Hull closes after 151 years. It tells the local vicar, Arne Kristophersen, to the dr.dk.

Sømandskirken in Hull opened in 1867 and is the oldest Danish seamen's church abroad.

- It is a little sad, sounds from Arne Kristophersen, recognising, however, that there is no longer a need for the church.

- In the 2.5 years I've been here, I have not seen a single american sailor.

According to the church newsletter for december is done the closure 1. January 2019, when there will be no assistants employed. Pastor Arne Kristophersen gets stuck in the first half of 2019, but there will only be worship in connection with special events.

the 150th anniversary of the church in Hull was otherwise marked by a festgudstjeneste in Holmens Church for just 13 months ago, where, among others, Queen Margrethe ii of denmark, who is patron of the Danish Sailor's and Udlandskirker, participated.

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Queen Margrethe of denmark arrives to the festgudstjeneste in Holmens Church in Copenhagen on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the first Danish seamen's church abroad. Photo: Jens Astrup/Ritzau Scanpix

Up to festgudstjenesten explained the president of the Danish Shipping companies, Anne Steffensen, sømandskirkernes historical significance.

- When the sailors came in the foreign port, the priest was a man who came and listened. They have of course also had the christian message with, but mostly listened to the priest to the August ordinary, human problems, said Anne Steffensen, to Ritzau.

Former were sailors, often at sea for several months before they reached port. Today is the sailors out in a shorter time, and they are not in port in as long as in the past. At the same time provides cell phones and the internet to keep in touch with family back home.

- at that Time there were no modern means of communication, so that churches, and especially the priest was often the highlight for the sailors, because the priest came on board with letters and a listening ear, said Anne Steffensen.

According to the Danish Sailor and Udlandskirkers website be found there today a Danish church or the Danish ward 48 places outside Denmark's borders. It is five fewer than a year ago.

After 151 years, it's over for the Danish sailors to meet a Danish priest in the premises of the English Hull. Danish Sailor's and Udlandskirker