Reinli Stave Church

The apse was added later in the Middle Ages by Sira Thord, a priest. His grave lies in the covered gallery beneath the southeastern doorway. The door’s lock and fittings can be dated back to the Norse period. The soapstone baptismal font dates from 1150 and probably belonged to the previous church, which burned down. The church retains twelve medieval consecration crosses. It is the only church in Norway to have preserved all twelve. The altarpiece was originally made as a shrine for a saint around 1300. Its paintings are later additions, painted by Siwerts in 1923. The central scene depicts the Ascension of Christ, surrounded by Moses with the Commandments, Jesus delivering the Sermon on the Mount, Aaron with the Ark of the Covenant, and the Crucifixion of Jesus, representing the New Covenant. The Renaissance-style pulpit dates from 1700. The crucifix was carved in the seventeenth century, drawing inspiration from medieval examples. The Norwegian-made organ dates from 1808. Its bellows must be operated by hand, and both the bellows operator and the organist must brave steep steps to reach their places beneath the vaulted ceiling. A small opening in the south wall may have served as a leper’s squint, allowing a view of the sacred space. Through it, people could see the altar and chancel when the church was closed or when they were otherwise unable to enter. Extensive restoration work was carried out around 1880. Roof tiles replaced the wooden shingles, and a new floor was laid. A gallery, new pews and an altar rail were also installed. The windows had been added in 1850. The church was last restored between 1970 and 1973. It was thoroughly investigated and, as far as possible, returned to its medieval appearance.