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Christianity is prevailing in Iceland at the present day. But Christianity did not come in Iceland and became its dominant religion in one day. Christianity followed a gradual development in Iceland through years. In the first stage of religious development in Iceland there was Pagan religion which can be called the Norse religion. Christianity was first introduced as a part of some diplomatic step on the part of Iceland to develop its economy.
Iceland officially adopted Christianity in 1000 C though some believe that Christianity was present in Iceland even before the Viking settled in the country. However, Iceland converted its former religion into Christianity in order to please its major trade partner, the kings of Norway who were Christianized already. At the initial period of Christianity in Iceland there were the Catholics and many Catholic churches. But after the Reformation, catholics were almost obliterated from Iceland.
Reformation that took place in the 16th Century in Iceland converted catholicism to Lutheranism and at the present day also among the Christian community in Iceland the majority are of Lutherans. Apart from Reformation another religious movement that had considerable influences on Iceland religion, was the Pietism. Though it imposed restraint on some part of Iceland life.
Modern Iceland is a secular country by its constitution. Though still the state and the church are same body and the National Church of Iceland is a state church that is governed by a Lutheran church body. There are several other religious sects in Iceland also among which catholics are also there.
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