Strandebarm Church


Strandebarm Church is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Kvam Municipality in Vestland county, Norway. It is located in the village of Bru. It is the church for the Strandebarm parish which is part of the Hardanger og Voss prosti in the Diocese of Bjørgvin. The white, wooden church was built in a long church style in 1876 using designs by the architect Ole Vangberg. The church seats about 550 people. Historically, this was the main church for the old Strandebarm municipality.

History

The earliest existing historical records of the church date back to the year 1306, but the church was built before that time, likely in the 13th century. The first church at Bru was a stave church. That medieval church stood until 1659 when it burned down. A new wooden church was built on the same site to replace it. In 1737, the church was sold to the magister Ole Gjerdrum. Later, it was sold back to the parish. In 1876, it was decided to tear down the old church and build a newer, larger church, which is still in use today. The present church was consecrated on 18 August 1876. The white, wooden church, which seats about 550 people, was designed by the architect Ole Vangberg.