Places with a story
Budal kirke
Budal kirke is a small timber church whose Y-shaped plan reflects a distinctive chapter in Norwegian church building. Its origins lie in the efforts of local farming families to obtain a church closer to home in the mountain valley.
The place1
Completed in 1754, the church has three wings gathered around a shared centre. Red exterior boarding and a modest roof turret give it a compact appearance. Inside, the relationship between the arms and the altar reveals a plan once used to give different groups of worshippers a view towards the chancel.
History and local connections1
In 1752, representatives of twenty-six farms petitioned Bishop Fredrik Nannestad and King Frederik V for permission to build. Long journeys to existing churches were particularly difficult in winter. When an official inspection took place in June 1754, the local community had already built and furnished the church, showing how urgent the project was for them.
What to look for1
The richly decorated interior includes painted imagery in the chancel and a distinctive wooden chandelier. The altarpiece, dated 1755, was made by Ingebrigt Trondsen Eggan. Changes in 1906 removed older fittings, while restoration in 1980 recovered much of the earlier colour scheme and furnishings. These layers make the interior more than a simple example of a rare floor plan.
Planning a visit2
Budal parish publishes current services and activities through Støren kirkelige fellesråd. Contact the parish about entering the church and viewing the historic furnishings; exterior access and interior opening are different matters. A visit should fit around worship and ceremonies. The surrounding churchyard is part of the local community's continuing use of the site.
Sources
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