Faroese cultural ministry questions funding for new Argir church

The Faroese Ministry of Culture has raised doubts over whether the planned construction of a new church in Argir can proceed, citing unresolved questions about its funding, Kringvarp Føroya reports.

The project has faced delays as officials debate whether the parish council has secured sufficient funds. While the council’s chair, Fróði Ólason Olsen, stated that over 1 million kronur (€135,000) remains available beyond the required amount, Minister of Culture Bárður á Lakjuni disputed this, calling the funding shortfall “a significant issue.”

The old Argir church, sold to a women’s shelter, is set to transfer ownership on 1 January 2028. With construction of the new church expected to take 22 months, Olsen stressed urgency, noting Argir’s 200th anniversary in May 2028. Both sides agreed to resolve the final disputes promptly to avoid further delays.