Visit a chapel with an unusual history, dating back to 1872. During the summer, guided tours tell you more about the building, what is said to be Sweden’s first school meal service, and the sculptor Erik Rafael-Rådberg.
A chapel with an unusual history
Östervik Chapel was completed in 1872 and designed by architect Julius Frosell for Count and Countess Ida and Rudolf Adlersparre. The building is made of red brick and granite and has a medieval-inspired Neo-Gothic style.
The chapel has several rooms, including a church hall, a schoolroom, an apartment and vaulted cellars with a kitchen. The schoolroom could accommodate around 70 children from families working at the nearby Gustafsvik estate. In the cellar, there was what is often described as Sweden’s first school meal service, where the children ate their school lunches.
The sculptor Erik Rafael-Rådberg
From 1922 to 1963, the chapel was owned by the sculptor Erik Rafael-Rådberg. He lived in the building and used the nearby old dairy as his studio.
Today, the dairy houses an exhibition of his sculptures. Several of his works can also be found elsewhere in Kristinehamn, including the bust of Dan Broström and the sculpture Daphne in Rådhusparken.
The park by Varnumsviken
The chapel is surrounded by a park with interesting trees and plants. In spring, blue and white anemones bloom in the area. Take a walk through the park and continue along the shore of Varnumsviken Bay.
Guided tours
During the summer, guided tours are available of the chapel, the cellar vaults, the old schoolroom, the park and the former dairy. Tours can also be booked at other times for larger groups.
The chapel’s rooms can also be rented for occasions such as christenings, weddings and other events.
