Catholic Church in Greenland

Leif Ericson, son of Eric the Red, visited Nidaros (now Trondheim, Norway) and converted to Christianity while at the court of the Norwegian king.

[4] He then returned to his father's farm in Brattahlid, southern Greenland, and brought two priests sent by King Olaf Tryggvason.

[6] Eric was supposedly a member of an expedition to re-locate the eastern coast of North America.

[9] Sixteen parishes and churches were founded along with at least two monasteries and a convent for Benedictine nuns.

[12] Bishop Arnes in 1281 contributed to Peter's Pence and the expenses of the Crusades with walrus tusks and polar bear hides, and tithing continued in later years by selling raw materials for gold and silver.

[5][6][12] The introduction of Christianity is thought to have caused a major cultural break from the past, introducing many mainland European ideas and practices, such as the building of large churches and cathedrals, and this connection was maintained by the fact that the bishops appointed to Greenland were from Scandinavia, and not locals.

[13] After the last Norse colony in North America faded out, the Catholic Archbishop of Trondheim, Eric Walkendorf, attempted to send assistance, but to no avail.

Greenland was part of the "Apostolic Prefecture of the Arctic Pole" based in Norway from 1855 to 1868.

[5] Denmark has requested UNESCO acknowledge the ruins of the episcopal residence at Gardar as part of a World Heritage Site.