The churches on Osterøy

GJERSTAD CHURCH
Sometimes during the 13th century, the first church was built at "Gjerstad". This church was a tarred timber church. The items that have survived since that time can be found at ?Bergen? museum. Many churches have been built on this location since then. Unfortunately, the interior items from the church located here between the years 1621 - 1868, were auctioned away at the end of the 19th century. This church was demolished around 1870 to be replaced by to-days church.

HOSANGER CHURCH
There is not much knowledge about when the
first church at "Hosanger" was built. The most
probable time was around year 1200.
The church was build from floating timber. The
next church was built in the year 1610, but it
did burn to the ground during Christmas year
1795. Only a silver chalice from year 1687 was
saved. This is still in use in the church. The next church was built in stone and opened in October 1796. The "Hosanger" church is therefore the oldest still standing church on "Osteroey".

HAMRE CHURCH
The first church on "Osteroey" was located at
"Hamre". On this location there has been tarred
timber churches since year 1028. The church
there today is a wooden church constructed in
year 1620. As you can see from the picture, the
church exterior is impregnated with tar and the
tower has a wooden roof. The type of lofting used
for "Hamre" church is quite unique compared to
other Norwegian churches. The church is built
using zinc logs and the tower is built using timber
framework. Inside the church, the baptismal font,
made from limestone, is the oldest piece of interior
in the church. It was constructed around year
1250. The second oldest part of the church is the
main section of a triptych constructed around year
1480 in Lübeck, Germany. The beautiful wood carved pulpit and altarpiece are from the period between year 1622 and 1640. In the year 1653, the interior of the church fitted with large pictures which visitors can still enjoy.