A camera roll filmed by Dennis Wompra of the consecration service for the new Swedish Church and Scandinavian Seaman’s Mission in Middlesbrough taking place on Sunday 6th October 1963. The film shows priests greeting dignitaries as they arrive and possibly a Bishop from the Church of Sweden leading a procession into the church. The film includes exterior views of the church and mission including that of the much-admired tiled mural along the side of the mission. The Swedish Church and...

A camera roll filmed by Dennis Wompra of the consecration service for the new Swedish Church and Scandinavian Seaman’s Mission in Middlesbrough taking place on Sunday 6th October 1963. The film shows priests greeting dignitaries as they arrive and possibly a Bishop from the Church of Sweden leading a procession into the church. The film includes exterior views of the church and mission including that of the much-admired tiled mural along the side of the mission. The Swedish Church and Scandinavian Seaman’s Mission on the corner of Linthorpe Road and Park Road South in Middlesbrough, a ships wheel has been erected near to the entranceway. Two men stand under the canopy leading into the church, above them in large letters the Norwegian word ‘Sjomanskyrkan’ which translates as ‘Norwegian Church Abroad’. Pedestrian and car drive past as well-dressed dignitaries arrive at the mission and are greeting the men standing in the doorway. Along the side of mission building facing Park Road South a multi-coloured tiled mural. The two men seen previously now stand beside the ships wheel chatting, both are wearing black cassocks with clerical preaching bands. Along Park Road South again an exterior of the church and stained-glass window inside. Three women walk along Park Road South past both the mission building and church. A Swedish flag flies alongside a Union Jack at the front of the mission on Linthorpe Road. Three men in naval officer uniforms make their way along the path leading into the mission speaking with an older man wearing a black cassock with preaching bands. One of the officers shakes the hand of a woman standing nearby. A number of young men in suits arrives followed by two older men both wearing mayoral chains and accompanied by their wives, a small crowd watch the dignitaries arrive and go inside. A procession of priests wearing white cassocks make their way into the mission, at the rear an older man wearing Episcopal vestments and carrying a crosier. He walks up to the closed door, bows his head, and knocks on the door with this crosier. The doors open and the procession makes its way inside. The word ‘Sjomanskyrkan’ in large letters on the canopy over the mission entrance. The man in Episcopal vestments comes out of the church along with the other priests and crossing over Park Road South. The film changes to him standing in the doorway of the mission alongside another priest chatting. Nearby the ships wheel, the background a number of men in naval uniforms walk into the mission. A display of flowers in the doorway of the mission, above it a noticeboard in both Swedish and English giving the opening times of the church. Outside again four men in cassocks and preaching bands chat with two men in suits. The man seen previously in Episcopal vestments now stands chatting with two other presents, he is also wearing a black cassock with a large golden crucifix around his neck. He smiles and waves at the camera before the three of them make their way back into the mission. A pair of hands holds a booklet the front page of which reads ‘Consecration of the Swedish Church and Official Opening of the Scandinavian Seaman’s Mission Middlesbrough Sunday 6th October 1963’. The film ends on the booklet being opened.