Old Olden Church


Old Olden Church is a former parish church of the Church of Norway in Stryn Municipality in Vestland county, Norway. It is located in the village of Olden at the north end of the Oldedalen valley. Until 1934, the church was the parish church for the Olden parish which is part of the Nordfjord prosti in the Diocese of Bjørgvin. The white, wooden church was built in a cruciform style in 1759 by an unknown architect. The church seats about 250 people.

History

The earliest existing historical records of the church date back to the year 1308, but the church was not new at that time. Not much is known about the old medieval stave church. In 1746, a new church was built on the site after the old stave church was torn down. This new building was a small building with a long church design. In a severe winter storm in 1757, the church was heavily damaged. That spring the church was torn down and a new building with a cruciform design was completed in 1759.
It was the only church in the Oldedalen valley until 1934 when the new Olden Church was built as a replacement for the older church. In 1969, there was a major restoration of the church building. The Old Olden Church is no longer used as parish church but remains a tourist destination. Religious paintings and statues are featured in the church. Displays include a Holy Bible which dated from the reign of King Christian III of Denmark.

Gallery