Old Hjelme Church


Old Hjelme Church is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Øygarden Municipality in Vestland county, Norway. It is located in the village of Hjelmo on the island of Seløyna. It is one of the three churches in the Hjelme og Blomvåg parish which is part of the Vesthordland prosti in the Diocese of Bjørgvin. The white, wooden church was built in a long church style in 1875 using designs by the architect Jacob Wilhelm Nordan. The church seats about 180 people.

History

The church was built to serve the people on the Øygarden archipelago, who previously had to cross the Hjeltefjorden to go to the Manger Church or Hordabø Church. The church was consecrated on 5 August 1875 and it was in regular use until 1971 when the new Hjelme Church was opened. Since then, this church has only been used for special situations such as weddings and funerals.