Hallgrímskirkja

This is the name given to the Lutheran Cathedral in Reykjavik. While the Harpa is light as air, the Hall-however-you-say-it-grim-thing is oh-so heavy and reminds me of the Stalin era.  It was built in 1937 and is supposed to mimic a basalt lava flow, though I think it looks like it is bracing for gale force winds. Regardless of its aesthetics, the unique facade serves as a landmark both on land and at sea.

The inside is also stark, but surprisingly graceful and traditional. This is a picture of the altar.

At the other end of the church is a beautiful organ, and I was fortunate to hear the organist practice for a recital.

But my favorite part of the interior are the pews. The backs of the pews pivot back and forth to allow parishioners to face either the altar or the organ. The day I visited half faced one direction and the other half faced the opposite one.

You can get some fantastic views of the city from the church tower.

To be ecumenical regarding the issue of church architecture, the Catholic church, while much more traditional, is another solid-looking structure.

We went to Mass at this church.  The priest who celebrated Mass is from Fordham University and knows one of my classmates from Xavier who is now chair of the philosophy department!