ABOUT US
Discover Our Story
Learn about who we are and what we believe.
OUR STORY
Rooted in Community
The American Lutheran Congregation is an English-speaking church in the heart of Oslo's Frogner neighborhood. We bring together people from more than thirty countries and nearly as many church traditions — united not by where we're from, but by our shared faith in Jesus Christ. Founded on Lutheran roots, we welcome everyone: expats and locals, diplomats and students, long-term residents and first-time visitors. Whatever brings you to Oslo, there is a place for you here. We study scripture, serve our city, and linger over coffee and waffles after every service. We are, quite simply, a community of people trying to follow Jesus together — in English, in Oslo, from all over the world.
Our story begins after World War II, when a growing number of Americans in Oslo found themselves longing for an English-speaking church to call home.
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In 1956, Dr. Oscar C. Hanson was tasked with making that a reality. Two years of dedicated work laid the foundation, and on October 12, 1958, the American Lutheran Congregation held its first service.
In 1964, our church building in Frogner was dedicated — made possible by the generosity of members and friends on both sides of the Atlantic. Many of the gifts came from Midwesterners honoring Norwegian grandparents who had emigrated to America with little more than their faith. That faith came full circle, helping build a church back in the country their families had left behind. Since then, ALC has grown from a congregation of mostly Lutheran Americans into an international community representing over thirty nations. Today, under the leadership of Pastor Sherri Frederikson, we continue to welcome whoever walks through our doors — and we expect to keep changing, as the Spirit leads.
OUR BELIEFS
What We Believe
Our desire is to live out our faith authentically and kindly invite others into the life-changing love of Christ.
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible is God's living word — the foundation of our faith, our guide for life, and a story still being written in us today.
jesus christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God — fully human, fully divine — who lived, died, and rose again so that all people might know grace, forgiveness, and new life.
THE CHURCH
We believe the church is not a building but a people — called together across nations, traditions, and backgrounds, united by one faith in the risen Christ.
AUTHENTIC FAITH
We believe faith is meant to be lived out daily—with integrity, compassion, and love for all.
OUR MISSION & VALUES
Why We Exist
Our mission is to bring people of every nation and tradition together in the English language to love and serve Jesus Christ — through worship that inspires, community that welcomes, and faith that reaches beyond our walls into Oslo and the world. We live this out through our four core values.
GRACE — Receiving and extending God's unconditional love. Everything we do flows from the belief that God's grace is a gift freely given to all — and that we are called to pass it on, without condition, to everyone we meet.
COMMUNITY — Building belonging across every boundary. We are Lutherans, Anglicans, Catholics, and Baptists. We are Americans, Norwegians, Africans, and Asians. We are one — and we believe that unity across difference is itself a witness to the world.
WORSHIP — Encountering God together, every Sunday. We gather weekly to refocus on what matters most: the Word of God, the grace of Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit — expressed through music, prayer, and the breaking of bread.
SERVICE — Loving our neighbor in Oslo and beyond. Faith without action is incomplete. We serve our city, support global mission through the ELCA, and open our doors to anyone who needs a place to belong.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your First Visit
When you walk through our doors, you'll find a warm welcome and a community that means it. Every Sunday we gather for worship, scripture, and music — followed by Norwegian waffles, coffee, and fellowship in Hanson Hall.
✝︎ Engaging worship and practical teaching
✝︎A very welcoming environment with friendly faces
✝︎ Kids and youth programs designed just for them
✝︎ No strict dress code — show up as you are!
MEET OUR PASTOR
Pastoral Leadership
Sherri is passionate about walking alongside people wherever they are in their faith — whether that's through Sunday worship, the Emmaus Bible study she leads each Tuesday evening, or simply being present in the moments that matter most. Her preaching is grounded in scripture and honest about life, making faith feel both relevant and deeply personal.
You'll often find her lingering after the service in Hanson Hall, sharing a waffle and a conversation with a first-time visitor or a long-time member. She has a gift for making people feel genuinely seen — and a conviction that the church is at its best when it leads with grace, not judgment.
As an ELCA pastor, Sherri brings both theological depth and a warm, open spirit to a congregation that spans more than thirty nations and nearly as many church traditions. She embraces that diversity as one of ALC's greatest gifts.
"Faith is a living, growing thing — and so is this community."
OUR LEADERSHIP
Rooted in Service
At ALC, leadership means showing up for people. Our pastor, staff, and volunteer leaders are united by one purpose — helping our diverse community worship, grow, and feel at home in Oslo.
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Bradley Staubes
MUSIC DIRECTOR & ORGANIST
Brad brings broad and deep musical experience to the organ loft every Sunday at ALC. A versatile pianist, organist, singer, and cellist, he has performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral (NYC), The Basilica of the National Shrine and the Kennedy Center (DC) among many other US venues. In Oslo he has performed as solo baritone and chorister with the Oslo Filharmonien, played as organist in almost every church in the city, sung with a barbershop quartet onstage at DNO&B, and serves as rehearsal pianist for several local chamber choirs, with a repertoire that includes most of the great choral masterworks.
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Eric Manderville
ALC PRESIDENT
Eric leads the ALC community with over 25 years of dedicated service to the congregation. As president, he works closely with Pastor Sherri and the church council to steward the mission and ministry of ALC — making sure this community remains a welcoming, well-run home for everyone who walks through our doors.
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Pamela Granrud
OFFICE MANAGER
Pamela is the engine behind the scenes at ALC — quietly keeping everything running with care and efficiency. If you've ever emailed the office, chances are you've already experienced her warm and prompt replies first hand.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your Questions, Answered.
VISITING & WORSHIP
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Not at all. Everyone is welcome to worship at ALC, no questions asked. Just show up — we'll take care of the rest, including a waffle after the service.
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Worship begins at 11:00 and runs about an hour. You can expect Bible readings, a sermon, music, and Holy Communion twice a month. After the service, everyone is welcome downstairs in Hanson Hall for coffee, tea, and Norwegian waffles. It's informal, friendly, and a great way to meet people.
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Absolutely not. Our congregation includes Lutherans, Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals and many others. What unites us is a shared faith in Jesus Christ, not a shared denominational background.
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Yes. Every Sunday service is broadcast live on our Facebook page at facebook.com/alcoslo. Recordings are saved and available to watch at any time.
FAITH & BELIEFS
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At the core of Lutheran belief is the conviction that we are saved by God's grace alone, through faith alone, as revealed in Scripture alone. We don't earn God's love — we receive it as a gift through Jesus Christ. That gift frees us to love and serve others.
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Every Sunday at ALC we recite either the Nicene Creed or the Apostles' Creed — two ancient statements of Christian faith shared across denominations worldwide. They remind us that in Christ we are one, whatever else might seem to divide us.
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Not at all. Doubt is welcome here. Questions are welcome here. Faith is not certainty — it is a living, growing trust in God, and that journey looks different for everyone.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the largest Lutheran church in the United States, with nearly 8,400 congregations. ALC Oslo was founded as part of the ELCA's predecessor denomination, and our pastor is always an ordained ELCA pastor. Through the ELCA, we are connected to a global network of Lutheran churches and mission work around the world.
COMMUNITY & BELONGING
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ALC was built for exactly this. We have always been a congregation of expats, diplomats, students, and newcomers — people who arrived in Oslo looking for community in the English language. Whether you're here for six months or sixty years, there is a place for you here.
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Our congregation represents more than thirty countries, including the USA, Norway, the UK, Australia, Ghana, India, Japan, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, and many more. Oslo's international community is reflected in our pews every Sunday.
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Very much so. We have a nursery for children under two, Sunday School running September through May, and a teenagers' program that includes Bible study, social events, and community service. Children are always welcome in worship and we have a play area in the back of the sanctuary.
MEMBERSHIP
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Full members have their church membership registered in Norway at ALC and their personal numbers are registered with Norwegian authorities. Associate members maintain their primary membership at another church in Norway but take full part in ALC's community and can vote at the Annual General Meeting. Both types of members can participate fully in the life of the congregation. Also, you do not have to be a member to attend service.
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Fill out a visitor card during Sunday service, attend one of our information meetings, or simply reach out to the pastor or office. We'll walk you through it.
PASTORAL CARE
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Yes. You can submit a prayer request using the contact form on our website, or fill one out during Sunday worship. Our pastor and prayer ministry are always available.
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Yes. Both adults and infants are baptized at ALC. For weddings, please note that Norwegian law allows our pastor to officiate only when at least one partner is a US citizen — in other cases, we are delighted to offer a blessing of the marriage. Contact the church office as early as possible to begin planning.
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Pastor Sherri is available for hospital visits, funerals, and personal pastoral care. Please contact the church office and she will be in touch promptly.
GIVING & VOLUNTEERING
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You can give by bank transfer to account 5081.07.47827, via Vipps number 62855, or through PayPal. Setting up a regular automatic payment is the most helpful way to support the church's ongoing ministry.
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There are many ways to serve — from making coffee on Sunday mornings to reading scripture during worship, joining the choir, helping with Sunday School, or serving on a committee. Contact the church office or speak to someone on Sunday and we'll find the right fit for you.
Got another question? We’d love to help. Contact us anytime.
