Founded 1741 Opened 1969 | Churchmanship Evangelical Lutheran Functional status Active Capacity 520 Architect Einar Vaardal-Lunde | |
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Similar Erdal Church, Herdla Church, Foldnes Church, Ask Church, Tveit Church | ||
Strusshamn Church (Norwegian: Strusshamn kirke) is the main parish church for the municipality of Askøy in Hordaland county, Norway. It is located in the village of Strusshamn. The church is part of the Strusshamn parish in the Vesthordland deanery in the Diocese of Bjørgvin.
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First church
The village of Strusshamn got its first church in 1741, when the areas of Askøy and Laksevåg were separated from the main Bergen Cathedral parish. The small wooden church had 238 seats and 63 standing places. The church was located at the foot of "Church Mountain", and it was 29.5 ell long, 14.5 ell wide and 7.5 ell high (an "ell" is an old Norwegian measurement). The night of 8 September 1861 was when the last worship service was held in the church because later on that same night a fire started in the flour mill next door to the church, and both buildings burned down.
Second church
Work immediately started to build a new church. It was built on the same site that the present church is located. The new church was built by architect Georg Andreas Bull, the brother of the more famous Ole Bull. The new church was finished in 1864 and it was consecrated by Bishop Peder Hersleb Graah Birkeland on September 30. This was a cruciform church with a total of 727 seats. After the fire at the old church, some items were recovered from the old church and moved to the new church. This included two brass chandeliers, two apostle figures, and a mass vestment. The altarpiece was painted by Johan Ludvig Losting. The church was significantly remodeled in 1920 when it was wired for electricity. The last renovation was done in 1964 to celebrate its centennial anniversary. Then on 30 January 1966, there was a fire and this church burned to the ground also. Only a few things were saved including two candlesticks and a baptismal bowl.
Third church
The present church was built shortly after the 1966 fire by the architects Torgeir Alvsaker and Einar Vaardal-Lunde. This church was built out of concrete and glass and it is able to seat about 520 people. This church was consecrated by Bishop Per Juvkam on 11 May 1969. The church was greatly expanded in 2009 by adding a large interior atrium and two church halls.