Ölmstad Church: A Medieval Church in Sweden
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 5
- Popularity
- Very Low
- Country
- Sweden
- Primary era
- Medieval
- External website
- Open
- Eras represented
- Medieval, Early Modern, Modern
- Civilizations
- Swedish
- Site type
- Religious
- Remains
- Church
On this page11 sections
History
Medieval Origins and the 1568 Raid
Ölmstad Church is a church in Ölmstad, Jönköping County, Sweden, believed to date to the 12th century. A fire in the 15th century led to repairs that altered the building.
In 1568, Danish troops commanded by Daniel Rantzau plundered the church during the Northern Seven Years’ War, a conflict between Sweden and Denmark-Norway from 1563 to 1570. The church was later restored.
Later Changes and Church Affiliation
A tower was added at the church’s west end in 1729, taking the place of an earlier bell tower.
Ölmstad Church belongs to Skärstad-Ölmstad Parish, a local church unit, within the Diocese of Växjö, a territorial administration of the Lutheran Church of Sweden. Its interior and exterior were refurbished in 2000.
Remains
Church Building
The church’s arrangement includes a choir, the area near the altar traditionally used by clergy and singers, and a sacristy, a room for preparing services and keeping liturgical items. Both were added during repairs after the 15th-century fire. The tower is on the west side.
Medieval Furnishings
Baptismal Font
The 12th-century baptismal font is made of red sandstone. It is attributed to the workshop of Bestiarius, an otherwise unnamed stone master.
Triumphal Cross
The church has a 15th-century triumphal cross, a large cross associated with the division between the nave and the chancel.
Later Furnishings
Pulpit
Master craftsman Päder Knutzsson made the pulpit in 1649.
Organ
The present organ was made in 1885 by Åkerman & Lund Orgelbyggeri of Sundbyberg. Earlier organs were made by Georg Hum in 1680 and Jonas Wistenius in 1774.
