Lomen Stave Church


Lomen Stave Church is a stave church located in the small village of Lomen in Vestre Slidre municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. Lomen is situated in the traditional region of Valdres.

History

Lomen Stave Church was built in the second half of the 12th century. Through dendrochronological dating the church has been dated to 1192, but the first reference in written sources is not until 1325 and 1334, at that time as "Hvams kirke". The church was rebuilt and enlarged in 1749. The church is supported by 4 columns, and has three lavishly carved portals, chancel-arches and column capitals. During the last refurbishment of the church, an archaeological excavation was carried out and 71 artifacts were found, including pieces of jewelry and coins. Some of the coins were as old as the 12th century. Lomen Stave Church houses the pedestal of a baptismal font dating from the 1200s.
Only the wall and roof timbers remain from the original stave church. The church is without electric light and heating, and it is only used for weddings and church services during the summer season. The new Lomen church was opened in 1914 replacing Lomen Stave Church.
Ole Andreas Øverland drew illustration of the portal from Lomen Stave Church in volume 2 of his five part series Illustreret Norges Historie 02 Fra Kristendommmens Indførelse til Magnus Erlingssøns Fald.

Illustrations by Ole Andreas Øverland

Related reading