Kyrkjebø Church


Kyrkjebø Church is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Høyanger Municipality in Vestland county, Norway. It is located in the village of Kyrkjebø. It is the church for the Kyrkjebø parish which is part of the Sunnfjord prosti in the Diocese of Bjørgvin. The wooden church was built in a long church style in 1869 using designs by the architect Christian Christie, who based his designs on the old stave churches in Norway. The church is a three-nave basilica church which seats about 500 people.

Design

The Kyrkjebø Church's architecture is based on the classical lines and derives from Gothic cathedral designs. This design was as much the result of architectural choice as of the technical requirements for building churches that emerged during the 19th century. The improvement in technology and crafting techniques at the turn of the century had led to churches adopting a lighter form and employing elaborate detailing.

History

The earliest existing historical records of the church date back to the year 1331, but it was not new that year. The original church was likely a stave church and it was located in the nearby village of Austreim, about east of the present location of the church. Around the year 1590, the church was torn down and a new church was built in the village of Kyrkjebø. The church had been known as Austreim Church, but some time after the move, it became known by its new location, Kirkebø kirke. In 1670, the church was enlarged to the north side. The old church was torn down and replaced with a new church on the same site. The new church was consecrated on 7 October 1869.