Frue Church

Frue Church (also known as Hetland Church) is a white wooden parish church in the Storhaug borough, in the centre of Stavanger, Rogaland county, Norway. Built in 1854, it is one of the city's 19th-century church buildings and still serves worshippers today.

What is Frue Church?

Frue Church belongs to the Church of Norway and is one of two churches of the St. Johannes parish, which is part of the Stavanger arch-deanery (domprosti) in the Diocese of Stavanger. Locals often use the name Hetlandskirken, a reminder that the building was originally raised as the main church of the former Hetland municipality. After Hetland became part of Stavanger, the church officially took the name Frue Church, but the older name has never disappeared from everyday use.

Who designed it and what does it look like?

The church was designed by architect Hans Hansen Kaas and completed in 1854. It is built in the so-called long church style, a plan common in Norwegian parish churches of the period, with a rectangular nave and a chancel in a single, elongated volume. The walls are timber, painted white, which gives the building a calm, simple look among the surrounding city streets. It seats about 700 people, making it a sizeable church for a wooden structure.

What is the history behind the name?

The name "Frue" (Our Lady) points back to medieval Stavanger. According to Norwegian sources, the congregation traces its roots to the Church of Our Lady (Mariakirke), which stood north of the cathedral and was later converted into a town hall after the Reformation. In 1848 the Frue and Randaberg areas were separated from Stavanger, and the present church was completed a few years later, in 1854.

What can you see inside?

Norwegian heritage sources note that the original altarpiece was removed in the 1930s and replaced by large stained glass paintings. A restoration in 1991-92 revealed three layers of decorative paint, showing how the interior was redecorated over the decades.

Is it still in use?

Yes. According to the Norwegian encyclopedia Store norske leksikon, the church is still used for services, and Stavanger's American congregation has a regular base there. Because it is an active place of worship, check the parish for opening hours and service times before planning a visit.

Visitor tips

• Location: in Storhaug, in the centre of Stavanger, within reach of the city centre.
• Best for: anyone interested in Norwegian wooden church architecture, 19th-century Stavanger and local history.
• Plan ahead: interior access depends on services and parish events, so the exterior may be all you see if you arrive at a quiet time.

Frequently asked questions

Who built Frue Church? It was designed by Hans Hansen Kaas and completed in 1854.

Is Frue Church the same as Hetland Church? Yes. Hetlandskirken is the older, still widely used name.

How many people does it hold? About 700.

What is it made of? Wood, painted white, in the long church style.

Is it still an active church? Yes, services are still held there.