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1893
After many years working as Unitarian pastor in the USA Hans Tambs Lyche (1859-1898) returns to Kristiania (today Oslo) in Norway. Here he becomes the first editor of the periodical Kringsjaa in which he soon presents translated articles by American Unitarians.
This year also the Unitarian pastor and writer Kristofer Janson (1841-1917) leaves USA and again settles in Kristiania. Soon he delivers lectures on liberal Christianity and Spiritualism in many Norwegian cities.
1894
In Kristiania Hans Tambs Lyche publishes a leaflet on Unitarianism, discuss Unitarianism with the Evangelical Lutheran pastor Thorvald Klaveness (1844-1915). Tambs Lyche argues that the word «Unitarianism» is no longer an adequate label for the Unitarian movement. He also invites liberal minded people to establish a Unitarian church. This project fails. Instead he founds the first Unitarian periodical printed in Norway, Free Words. Thanks to Tambs Lyche Unitarianism is now discussed in several Norwegian books, periodicals, and lectures.
Mr. Axel Sabro (1847-?) becomes the Norwegian Unitarian publisher.
1895
In January Kristofer Janson establishes the first Norwegian Unitarian Christian Church in Kristiania, The Church of Brotherhood. The Unitarianism preached by Janson seems to be a mixture of Christianity and Spiritualism. Only two weeks after the foundation of the church Tambs Lyche writes critical articles in Free Words warning against Janson's teaching of Spiritualism. He also argues that there should be another Unitarian Church in Kristiania.
1896
Conflict between Tambs Lyche and Sabro which forces Tambs Lyche to quit as editor of Free Words. From about April the periodical is no more Unitarian but continues to be published by Sabro until 1898. First Unitarian wedding takes place in Kristiania december 31.
1897
Kristofer Janson writes an article where he see himself as a savior sent by God to liberate the Norwegian people from the Ortodox Christianity. At the same time - or soon after - there is an increasing conflict between the executive committee of the Church of Brotherhood and Janson.
The Church of Brotherhood begins to keep official church records and adds Unitarian Society to its name.
1898
(1st critical year) Hans Tambs Lyche dies.
No more publications of Free Words by Sabro.
Kristofer Janson quits as Unitarian pastor to The Church of Brotherhood.
The first Unitarian confirmation takes place April 11.
1899
In December the Unitarian church only uses the name Unitarian Society.
1900 (2nd critical year)
In January and February many members leave Unitarian Society, including some members of the former executive committee and Janson's wife. In April Janson no longer uses the name Unitarian Society when inviting to Sunday meetings. He only uses the formula: Kristofer Janson speaks at the Worker's Association at 11 o'clock.
The 1900 Census tells that 88 Unitarians now live in Kristiania. 75 of them are members of the Unitarian Society. The rest is without any Unitarian membership. Total Unitarians living in Norway at this moment seems to be 106.
1901-1904
Kristofer Janson continues to invite to his private Unitarian meetings in Kristiania every Sunday.
No mention of the Unitarian Society in newspapers.
Between 1900-1903 no new members join the Unitarian Society.
1904
Unitarian pastor Herman Haugerud (1864-1937) returns form the USA and is engaged as the new pastor to Unitarian Society in Kristiania. For one year (1904-05) he and Janson invites to Unitarian meetings in Kristiania at the same time but in different places! Haugerud invites to Unitarian meetings in the Unitarian Society at Student Society Sunday's 11 at o'clock and Janson to Janson's meetings at the Worker's Association Sunday's at 11 o'clock.
This year 12 new members join the Unitarian Society.
1905
In April Janson stops inviting to his private Unitarian meetings. From now on only pastor Haugerud invites to Unitarian meetings at the Unitarian Society.
The foundation of a Unitarian Youth Association where Tambs Lyche's son is secretary and a Unitarian Choir.
1906
Haugerud publishes the Unitarian periodical The Unitarian>> and tries to establish a Unitarian group in the town Skien. No traces of this group has later been found. Nor any further traces of the Unitarian Youth Association and the Unitarian Choir.
1907
The periodical The Unitarian is no longer published. It seems The Unitarian Society no longer advertises its meetings.
1908-1937
Little or no information about Unitarian activity in Norway.
Between 1919-1937 only 2 new members are recorded in the church books.
1930
69 Unitarians in Norway according to the Census.
1937
(final year) Pastor Herman Haugerud dies.
No new Unitarian pastor is appointed.
Last entrance in the church books.
he Unitarian Society in Norway no longer exists.
1950
17 Unitarians in Norway according to the Census.
—Rev. Knut Heidelberg
Letter: Unitarforbundet. Box 217. N-1802 Askim. Norway. Email: unitarian@christian.net
Copyright® 2006
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