Orre Old Church
Orre Old Church is a historic stone church located along the Jæren Scenic Road in Southern Norway. It is the oldest building in the surrounding area. We visited the church as part of our road trip through Norway. It was a short visit, mostly because there were no clear marking on how to walk up to the church. Moreover, the church is located seemingly on private property – it was a little awkward parking in someones driveway to visit a church! Still, if you get the chance to visit, there’s something special about this church.
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The Fv44 Highway
Ore Old Church is located along the Fv44, the main highway from Stavanger to Flekkefjord. You can find my guide for the Fv44 by clicking the link below.
History of the Church
The first mention of the church is in the year 1448, but the church is likely from before then. It’s believed that the church is from the year 1250 and built according to designs from English monks. The thick walls are soapstone which are then plastered and painted white.
Very little is known of the historical use of the church.
Church Renovations
In 1865, the church underwent major renovation. One of the extensions is the wooden choir, as well as the small porch on the west entrance.
During the renovations, the historic stone arch windows were removed and much larger square windows were added. This greatly changed the appearance of the building. Additionally, the wooden extension and the new windows badly damaged the church.
Embalmed corpses were discovered buried under the church. They are very well preserved. The corpses were reburied under the new altar when the renovation was complete.
Orre Old Church is in the middle of a cemetery. The cemetery likely has a number of graves, but no monument or gravestone is preserved from the old times.
Orre Church Today
The church was the town’s church until 1950, when the new Orre Church was ready. The new church can be seen in Pollestad, the nearby village.
Today the church is a museum but also occasionally used for services and weddings.
Visiting the Church
Orre Old Church is located on the national tourist road through Jæren. The church is not marked along the road; but it is on Google Maps. The church parking is on a farm property – I remember when we arrived the farmer was trying to leave with his tractor!
The Fv44 Highway
Ore Old Church is located along the Fv44, the main highway from Stavanger to Flekkefjord. You can find my guide for the Fv44 by clicking the link below.
