Hopperstad stave church

Hopperstad stave church in Vik was built in the latter half of the 12th century. In order to save the church from demolition, the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments (SPAM) bought the church in 1880. The history of the Hopperstad stave church is a story of a dramatic rescue operation where the local community saw no value in keeping an old stave church.

Demolition decision

Peter Andreas Blix (1831-1901) was a famous architect and engineer who lived in Bergen. He had been in charge of the restoration of two historical buildings in Bergen - "Håkonshallen" and "Domkirken" (the Cathedral). In 1881, Blix had come to Vik to take a look at the Hove stone church that he had bought. He was very much upset when he found out that the Hopperstad stave church was in such a deplorable state. Neither the village people nor the SPAM wanted or could take care of the church. Consequently, Blix offered to take charge of the restoration work for free. He also offered a large sum of money. His offer was accepted.

Studies

In the years between 1885 and 1891, Blix carried out extensive studies, and accurate measurements were taken. The restoration work, then, was based on a solid groundwork. It had probably never happened before that a single man had been in charge of restoring two churches in the same village, at his own expense, and according to his own carefully made plans and designs. His unwavering intention was to rebuild the church to its original appearance.

Restoration

All changes were based on studies or modelled after other stave churches.

Hopperstad stavkyrkje hadde i 1999 nesten 30000 vitjande. Borgund stavkyrkje hadde flest besøk, med 35914. Hopperstad stavkyrkje vart restaurert i 1885-91 under leiing av arkitekt Peter Andreas Blix. Han betalte sjølv for arbeidet.

In 1999, close to 30 000 people came to see the Hopperstad stave church. Borgund stave church had most visitors with 35 914. Hopperstad stave church was restored in 1885-91 with the architect Peter Andreas Blix in charge. He paid for the work out of his won pockets.

Datering

1910-30.

Fotograf

Ukjend.

Eigar

Vik Lokalhistoriske Arkiv.

An even older stave church

The present stave church at Hopperstad was hardly the first one on that site. Most likely there had been an earlier stave church on the same site. When Blix studied the church, he found remnants of a stave church with woodcarving. This church was probably built in the latter half of the 11th century.

The interior

The most exquisite interior object is the altar baldachin or ciborium which is formed like a small building with a saddle roof above a vaulted ceiling. The vaulted ceiling is painted with scenes from Jesus' childhood. On the walls there are many runic inscriptions and carved drawings. Most runic inscriptions are pious wishes such as"May the Lord help the man who carved these runes ..". The drawings, the medieval graffiti, have many motifs, ranging from mostly men and animals, but also to fish, boats, property marks, and various symbols.

Baldakinen frå Hopperstad stavkyrkje er karakterisert som praktstykket blant interiøret. I taket er det måla scener frå Jesu barndom.

The baldachin from the Hopperstad stave church is characterized as the most exquisite interior object. In the ceiling scenes from the childhood of Jesus are painted.

Datering

1910-30.

Fotograf

Ukjend.

Eigar

Vik Lokalhistoriske Arkiv.

Replica in the USA

In 1998, a replica of the Hopperstad stave church was consecrated in Moorhead, Minnesota. Some 100 persons from Vik and elsewhere in Sogn travelled to the USA to attend the ceremony.

Hopperstad stavkyrkje. Fortidsminneforeningen. Bergen 1997.
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Kloster, Robert: De gamle kirker i Viks prestegjeld. I Bygdabok for Vik, bind I. Bergen 1951.
Leirvåg, Olav Martin: Hopperstad stavkyrkje. Utgjeve av Vik kommunale Opplysningsråd. Vik 19??
De Heibergske Samlinger - Sogn Folkemuseum:
Skissebok m.m etter P. A. Blix.
Riksantikvaren:
Teikningar, korrespondanse etter P. A. Blix.
Liden, Hans Emil: Kristendom og kirkebygging på Vestlandet i tidlig middelalder - et eksempel fra Vik. I Pridlao, nr. 3, 1996. Vik Lokalhistoriske Arkiv. Vik i Sogn.