The Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay has reopened following a £500,000 revamp.
The church, which operates as an arts centre, is also famous for being the place where children’s author Roald Dahl was christened.
The inside of the building has been redesigned, the coffee shop has been extended and a lifting platform and new toilet facilities have been added.
The project was funded by the Landfill Communities Fund and Cardiff Harbour Authority.
Nigel Howells, Cardiff councillor for sport, culture and leisure, said: “The church is an iconic part of Cardiff’s history and it’s wonderful to see that it has been renovated and given a new lease of life.”
It was originally built in 1868 in Cardiff’s West Bute Dock to provide religious and social care to thousands of Norwegian sailors that were employed in the Norwegian merchant fleet.
It was closed and became derelict and vandalised in 1974. The building was then rescued by the Norwegian Church Preservation Trust and taken apart carefully and restored before being rebuilt on its current site in Harbour Drive and opened in 1992.
The church now hosts a programme of events ranging from art exhibitions to concerts, and its rooms are available for hire. It attracts 200,000 visitors a year.
The centre is also home to Cardiff’s Hijinx Theatre, a theatre group for adults with and without learning difficulties.
The group’s touring officer Emma Robinson said: “”While it’s been closed it’s been sorely missed.”
An exhibition of photographs is being held at the centre to document the restoration work.