Explore Religious Heritage Across Europe

The church in Vestmarka is a long neo-gothic church built according to the drawings of the architect Ludvig Bergh in 1883. The church is clad with exterior and interior panels. The interior is of good architectural quality, and most of the furniture dates from the time of construction, but the colours are not original.

The church of Vestre Aker is a long, unpainted red brick church, built according to the drawings of architect H. E. Schirmer in neo-gothic forms. The church was given a new sacristy south of the choir in 1939. The pillars and gables are covered with granite. The interior is characterised by a Gothic Revival style with rows of columns and vaulted ceilings.

The Vestre Gausdal Church or "Nykirken", is a cruciform church erected in wood with towers in the centre of the cross. Built in 1784, the interior has undergone several modifications since then. In 1854 the interior walls and ceilings were painted and in 1856 window openings were made in the side walls of the choir as well as in the galleries and the main entrance. In 1909, the church received a new pulpit with a canopy, a new baptismal font with a canopy and new pews.

The Vestre Jakobselv Church, formerly the Vestre Jakobselv Chapel, is a long church from 1940. It was designed by the State Building Inspector's Office and is built of wood. The designs for the chapel of Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Märtha in the forest village of Tørberget in the municipality of Trysil were reused.

The church of Vestre Moland is a brick building that was built in 1150. Gradually the medieval church was extended, first with a small choir section. The sacristy was started in 1742. In 1797, the church was extended with a nave to become a cruciform church, as we see it today.

The church of Vestre Porsgrunn was built by the builder Joen Jacobsen in 1758. In 1777, the interior was rebuilt: the transverse partition was removed and the church was given a barrel vault with painted skies and clouds. In 1830 the church received an extension of the sacristy to the east, and around 1900 the interior was modified: the vault was painted white, the walls were panelled and much of the furniture was replaced. This was changed during the restorations of the 1930s and 1956. In 1995 a new organ was installed in the church, built by Ernst Junker.

Vestre Spone church is a wooden church that was built in 1880. The architect of the church was Johannes Henrik Nissen.

The "Western Church" is a modern religious building, the highest on the island at 40.9 metres. The church was consecrated in 1975. It rises above the city as a landmark and its shape seems to be inspired by a ship with a sail. The tower is shaped like a pointed pyramid cut in two vertically. In 2006, a monument by the sculptor Hans Pauli Olsen was erected in front of the church in memory of Sigmundur Brestisson (961-1005), who initiated the Christianisation of the Faroes.

Vestvik church is a long church that was inaugurated in 1905, on the site of an older church that was built in 1589. The church was designed by architect Jon Rostad.

The present church building in Vetlanda, built in the last years of the 18th century, is the third on this site. It was built according to plans by the architect Per Wilhelm Palmroth, but after several radical changes, very little of the original church building remains today. In 1800, the tower was damaged by lightning. In 1871, the church was given a new spire and tower. In 1903-1904, following a proposal by the architect Ludwig Peterson, the church was given its present appearance.