Vikøy Church


Vikøy Church is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Kvam Municipality in Vestland county, Norway. It is located in the village of Vikøy, a few kilometers south of the municipal centre of Norheimsund. It is one of the churches for the Vikøy 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 1838 using designs by the architect Hans Linstow. The church seats about 300 people.

History

The earliest existing historical records of the church date back to the year 1316, but the church was built before that time, likely during the 13th century. The first church at Vikøy was a stave church. It stood until about 1838 when it was torn down. A new church was built on the same site the same year and it was consecrated on 24 July 1838. In 1985, the church was restored and renovated. An old altarpiece from 1633 was found in the attic of the church during this renovation, having been stored there unused for 100 years. During this renovation, the old altarpiece was restored and placed back in the church sanctuary.