Hattarvík Church on the remote island of Fugloy is one of the Faroe Islands’ most historic landmarks. Nestled in the quiet village of Hattarvík, the church stands as a powerful symbol of faith, history, and community. Over the centuries, it has witnessed both tragedy and resilience, and its story remains deeply connected to the islanders’ way of life.
In early February 1818, seven fishermen from Kirkja set out to sea. On their way home, however, their boat sank in rough waters. Only two men survived the ordeal, and tragically, one of them died before reaching shelter in Svínoy. Shortly after this event, the parish decided to relocate the church from Kirkja to Hattarvík, as no man in Kirkja was deemed able to take responsibility. Consequently, the first church in Hattarvík was consecrated in 1833.
As time passed, the building began to deteriorate. By the late 1800s, inspections revealed serious structural issues. In 1881, the tower was described as rotten, and the wood beneath the windows was in poor condition. Furthermore, follow-up inspections in 1893 and 1896 confirmed that the situation had worsened. Finally, in June 1898, Símun Mikael Zachariassen declared the church practically unusable. As a result, the church council petitioned the Faroese Parliament for funding to construct a new church measuring 24 × 12 Danish ells (approximately 15 × 7.5 m).
The contract was awarded to Petur í Mattalág, and on 20 September 1898 he signed the agreement. He was supported by carpenter Magnus av Kamarinum. In addition, skilled local craftsmen contributed their expertise in stone, wood, and iron, ensuring the project reflected the community’s collective effort.
The new church was consecrated on 29 October 1899 by Heilmann, the priest from Viðareiði. On the same day, inspectors Líggjas í Keldhúsinum and Guttormur í Geilini approved the work. Previously, the original church had stood at Uppi í Húsi, between cultivated fields and outfields. Now, however, the new building stood proudly at Niðri í Húsi, on land belonging to the Uttarstova farm.
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