Church Sold to Romanian Orthodox Congregation – Rejected Higher Bids from Muslim Associations

After a noted and lengthy sales process, it is now clear that Västrabokyrkan in Växjö will have a new owner. The church is being sold to the Romanian Orthodox congregation in Växjö, despite two Muslim associations previously submitting significantly higher bids for the property.

The sale sparked debate when it became known that the highest bids—around twelve million kronor—came from two Muslim associations. The EFS association in Växjö, which owns the church together with Växjö parish, nevertheless chose to decline.

Västrabokyrkan was put up for sale at the end of 2024 after EFS had already moved its activities to Högstorps church three years earlier. The church building had previously been deconsecrated, making it possible to sell for other uses.

When the bidding ended, it was clear that the two highest offers came from the Bosnian Islamic Community in Växjö and Växjö Muslim Community. However, the EFS association announced that prior to the sale, it had already decided the church should, if possible, continue to be used for Christian activities.

The decision led to a conflict with Växjö parish, which was responsible for the sales process. The parish initially believed the property should go to the highest bidder, while EFS referred to its right as property owner to decide to whom it wanted to sell.

After discussions, the church council’s working committee decided at the end of January 2025 to support EFS and affirmed that the association did not need to sell to the Muslim bidders. Shortly thereafter, the parish also withdrew an earlier threat to reduce its financial support to the EFS association because of the sale.

The Purchase Price Was Lower

The final deal means the EFS association and Växjö parish will together receive 9.1 million kronor for the property. At the same time, a subdivided part with a lawn and parking lot was sold separately for 1.6 million kronor.

The Romanian Orthodox congregation has paid 7.5 million kronor for the church building itself.

– We have always had very good cooperation with the Romanian Orthodox congregation, which has rented Västrabokyrkan in the meantime, says Barbro Tyrberg, chair of the EFS association, to Kyrkans tidning.

The congregation’s priest, Laurențiu Drăghicenoiu, says that the Romanian state has granted funding that covers about 95 percent of the cost of the church purchase. He explains that Romania has long had a tradition of supporting Romanian Orthodox congregations outside the country’s borders.

– This has become part of the modern legislation and today is a state mandate. And it is not about isolated cases—many receive help in this way. Since a large majority of the Romanian population are Orthodox Christians, the church is often the first to organize and provide support to Romanian groups abroad.

According to the priest, the work involved has been unusually extensive since the congregation is the first in northern Europe to receive direct state aid from Romania specifically for the purchase of a church building.

Searching for Their Own Church Since 2008

The Romanian Orthodox congregation was founded in Växjö in 2008 and has since sought a permanent church premises. Their own church is expected to give the congregation the opportunity to develop and expand its activities.

For EFS, the deal marks the completion of a process that has gone on for a long time.

– Now things have turned out well, but the move was very difficult for an enormous number of people and that the building can still be used for Christian purposes is something many think is fantastic, says Barbro Tyrberg.