Places with a story

Bardu kirke

Bardu kirke in Setermoen carries the building traditions of inland southern Norway into Troms. The compact timber church remains closely connected with the families who settled and cultivated the Bardu valley.

Get to know the municipalityBardu

The place¹ ²

The parish identifies Bardu kirke as its main church in central Setermoen. It was built using timber from the local forest and has an octagonal main body. Architectural historian Oddbjørn Sørmoen relates its form and furnishings to Tynset kirke, the church familiar to many of the settlers who came north.

History and local connections²

The church entered use in 1829. Ole Olsen Lundberg, originally from Tynset, led the building work and studied the church in his home community as a model. It became a smaller adaptation of that example. The upper part of the square entrance tower was completed in 1840, extending the building after its first consecration.

What to look for²

Inside, the pulpit stands above the altar as part of a single architectural arrangement. Columns, galleries and the royal monogram give the compact room a formal character. Many painted surfaces and furnishings survive. The windows arranged on two levels and the square tower help distinguish the building from a conventional long church.

Planning a visit¹

Use the parish's official page to check services and contact staff about visiting the interior. This remains a working church, so access may depend on the calendar. When arranging a visit, mention any mobility requirements and the interior features you want to see. The exterior can also introduce the building's distinctive eight-sided form.