Our stop in Ulvik is very special to Rebecca and I. One branch of our family came from here, and a cousin still remains. (In fact, her name is Gudrun, just like the character in Fiddling with Fate!) One of the things we’ll be doing In Ulvik is visiting the beautiful church (the Norwegian word for church is kyrkje, also Kirke). We have been to this church multiple times as our great grandmother was baptized and confirmed here, and in each visit, marvel at the architecture, art, and rosemaling.
This is the third church to be built in Ulvik. The earliest of historical records indicate that the first church was already built by 1309. That was eventually taken down in 1710 and a new church building was built. By the 1850’s, a report indicated the chancel and tower were in such poor shape, that it was decided a third church building should be designed and built along the fjord, about 800 meters southwest of the old location. The site of the old church is now a memorial grove.
Once inside, you will be overwhelmed by the sheer beauty. The altar piece was painted in 1876 by Andreas Askevold which is a replica of a French painting. It shows Jesus being taken down from the cross. You will also see hanging the old altar piece from around 1630 and showing the Eucharist. The beautiful painting (called rosemaling) inside was completed by local artist Lars Osa in 1923. Inside you will see one of the best-known paintings of the Norwegian Middle Age, “Ulvik-Antemensalet”, along with several other historical artifacts and pieces of art.
Open the door at the end of one of the pews, sit down, and just absorb the beauty of this small village church.
Comments