This church is called “the Wooden Cathedral”, unique in the world. The first church was built in the 12th century, again in 1680 and the present church in 1723. The church is unique in its architecture, resembling a cathedral although it is built entirely in wood with rough plank walls. What makes it different is the entire inside was painted by two locals between 1741-43 – each painted one side and in slightly different styles.
The paintings show Luther’s 10 catechisms, a summary of his interpretation of the Christian faith and known to all Lutherans at that time.
It is in the form of a basilica, with a high nave and two lower side aisles. It is magnificent: the side walls have faux stone blocks, the columns and pews faux marble and Luther’s 10 catechisms cover everything else: the 10 commandments and Lord’s Prayer on the side walls and the creed and baptism on the ceiling. The 14th century altar, 1723 pulpit and organ are all carved wood.
The 1250 sandstone font is the oldest object in the church. A Rembrandt bible is in a back room.
Men and women sat on opposite sides of the church and the gentry were in special boxes at the front. In the 18th century, there were 2000 in the parish and now there are 600 seats in the church.
Equally outstanding is the separate 1760 bell tower. The outside is red with white trim and a black roof.
Don’t miss this one. Seeing this church gave me the idea to write a post “Best Christian Churches in the World”. Habo Church is one of four churches whose pictures were reproduced by the Swedish Post Office in 2002 for a series of Christmas stamps under the rubric Romantic Churches at Christmastime.
Meta
Archives
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- June 2012