Trinity Church (Arendal)


Trinity Church is a parish church in the municipality of Arendal in Agder county, Norway. It is located in the town of Arendal. The church is the only church in the Trefoldighet parish, which is part of the Arendal Deanery in the Diocese of Agder og Telemark. The dean of the Arendal Deanery is based at this church. The red, brick, cruciform church is a basilica in the neo-Gothic style. The long church has short cross-arms but seats about 1,200 people.

History

There have been three churches in the town of Arendal, and all of them were called Trefoldighet 'Trinity Church'. Plans to build the present church building were adopted by the Arendal town council in 1883. The foundation stone was laid down on 7 August 1885, and on 29 June 1888 the church was consecrated.

First church

The first church was built of timber in an east-west direction. The eastern section was divided into two wings, one was the altar and the king's chair, the other an organ. The pulpit was placed where the wings meet. The church was consecrated on 6 December 1670 and was dedicated to the Trinity. The church became too small and was demolished in 1832 to make room for the new church.

Second church

The town's second church was built in the Empire style in 1836 in the same location as the first church. This church was designed by Christian H. Grosch, was octagonal, and had 555 seats. The foundation stone was laid down in 1833 by Crown Prince Oscar. The church had no altar, but a large gypsum replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen's famous Christ sculpture.

Today's church

In 1880, when Arendal was at its height as a town based on shipping, it was decided to build a new, much larger church. An architectural competition was then announced to design the church. The competition was won by the 27-year-old architect Christian Fürst, who was a student of the German architect Johannes Otzen. The foundation stone was laid down on 7 August 1885 in a large ceremony. This Trinity Church is built of brick. The church has 1,200 seats and is the largest church in Aust-Agder county.
The roof is covered with copper plates. The influence of Otzen is also seen in the use of materials, a brick stone type with smooth surface. The church has three church bells in addition to a carillon. The altarpiece scene is "Jesus blesses the eleven apostles before his ascension." The altarpiece was painted by August Eiebakke.

Location

Trinity Church is located in a sloping terrain in the town of Arendal. To improve the church's surroundings, a bazaar was built around the church into the street shortly after the church was built. The church bazaar is a plaza surrounded by a brick wall with round arches. It is the only church bazaar in Norway that was designed and built simultaneously with the church.

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