Garmo Stave Church

Garmo stave church is another one of those unique buildings that have been moved around. Originally this church was built at Garmo in Lom in the early 1200s. It has been altered and expanded a few times, last in 1730. Eventually it was disassembled in 1880. Stored in peaces for 41 years, and then transported 170 km south – and rebuilt in 1921 at the out-door museum Maihaugen at Lillehammer.

The church is centrally placed on a hill top right inside the entrance of the museum. It looks impressive with its dragon heads at the roof top.

Still in use during summer

At the museum, the church symbolizes the parish church of the village. It shows what a church looked like in Gudbrandsdalen in the 1700s. It carries history from the middle ages up to the present day. The altarpiece and the pulpit are parts of the church’s fittings that carry a message to the congregation through their motifs and symbols.
The children of the village were christened in this church and the font still stands in the chancel today. On an August day in 1859, Nobel prize winner Knut Hamsun was christened there. The church was at the centre of festivities such as christenings and weddings, and this is where Christian life was maintained from one generation to the next by the church services.

Garmo stave church is in use for services during the summer months, and on a Saturday you might find a newly married couple here. During the summer season you might also meet the church guide who will give you the history of the church.

Source: Maihaugen.no