Places with a story
Dønnesfjord kirke
Dønnesfjord kirke is a small white church with an extraordinary survival story. Built in Galten and later moved to Dønnesfjord, it is a rare surviving building from before the wartime destruction of Hasvik.
The place1
The log-built church has white vertical boards, red details around its windows and a simple western tower. Architect Jacob Wilhelm Nordan designed the modest long church, with the chancel at the eastern end. Its location on Mitterøya makes the surrounding fjord and the approach by foot or boat an essential part of understanding the building.
History and local connections1
The church opened in Galten in 1888, serving a busy fishing and trading settlement. An attempt to burn it during the German retreat in 1944 failed, leaving it standing when the surrounding buildings were destroyed. Galten was not rebuilt after the war. The church was moved to Dønnesfjord in 1951 and consecrated there in 1952.
What to look for1
Inside, plain timber surfaces and restrained decoration reflect Nordan's economical design. The altarpiece depicts the Crucifixion and was painted by O. Mathisen in 1935. Outside, notice the protective window shutters and red trim. Restoration in 2005 helped preserve the building, and formal protection followed in 2009, recognising both its architecture and exceptional wartime survival.
Planning a visit1
Hasvik kommune states that the mountain road from Breivikbotn is not kept open in winter. From Elvestrand, access to the church is by boat or a walk around the shore, described as approximately an hour each way. Check road, route and weather conditions locally. Interior access and occasional services require confirmation; the remote setting is not a promise of a staffed attraction.
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