Østre Aker Church Explained

Østre Aker Church
Fullname:Østre Aker kirke
Coordinates:59.9222°N 10.82°W
Location:Ulvenveien 114,
Oslo,
Country:Norway
Denomination: Church of Norway
Churchmanship:Evangelical Lutheran
Website:kirken.no
Consecrated Date:1860
Status:Parish church
Functional Status:Active
Architect:Heinrich Ernst Schirmer
Style:Neo Gothic
Materials:Brick, Wood
Capacity:500
Parish:Østre Aker og Haugerud[1]
Diocese:Diocese of Oslo

Østre Aker Church is a parish church at the neighborhood of Ulven in northeastern part of Oslo, Norway. The church building from 1860 in neo-Gothic style has exterior walls of brick, while the interior walls are covered with wood. The master masonry brothers Carl, Ferdinand and Albert Unger was commissioned to make the church the most alike Vestre Aker Church as possible. Østre Aker Church was consecrated 5 September 1860 with, among others, Prince Oscar present. Electricity was installed in 1925 and the church got chandeliers in 1928. Architect Helge Thiis was at the same time commissioned to make changes to improve the church interior.[2]

The church is in a picturesque landscape and surrounded by many large trees on a green cemetery.[3] In front of the church's main entrance is the sculpture "Hvilende kvinne" ("Reclining woman"), made by sculptor Maria Vigeland from 1970.[4]

Inside the church are eight monolith columns, carved in whole pieces of local grefsensyenitt. The church has a rose window promoting the church, designed by Frøydis Haavardsholm and created by art glazier G. A. Larsen. It shows blessing by Jesus of small children. The baptismal font in sandstone is from 1860. The altarpiece in wood from 1928 is created by woodcarver Thorleif Sohlberg. The pulpit is located to the left of the chancel. The origin of the 46-voice church organ from the second half of the nineteenth century is disputed.

Østre Aker Church is listed 85915 by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://norske-kirkebygg.origo.no/-/bulletin/show/423858_oestre-aker-kirke Norske kirkebygg: Østre Aker kirke
  2. http://www.nb.no/nbsok/nb/d2c1aa71aed969c6bbdec3fc61d19458.nbdigital?lang=no#9 Østre Aker kirke 1860-1960
  3. https://www.oslo.kommune.no/helse-og-omsorg/begravelser-og-gravferd/gravlunder-og-kirkegarder/ostre-aker-kirkegard/ Østre Aker Cemetery
  4. https://nkl.snl.no/Maria_Vigeland Maria Vigeland
  5. http://www.kulturminnesok.no/Lokaliteter/Oslo/Oslo/OEstre-Aker-kirkested Østre Aker kirkested 85915