Havstein Church

Havstein Church (Norwegian: Havstein kirke) is a gray stone parish church in Trondheim, in the Sverresborg area on the western side of the Nidelva river. The Neo-Gothic building dates from the mid-19th century and belongs to the Church of Norway, serving as one of the churches of the Sverresborg parish.

Where is Havstein Church?

The church stands in the Sverresborg area on the west bank of the Nidelva river, in Trondheim Municipality, Trøndelag county, central Norway. Its coordinates are roughly 63.4049° N, 10.3709° E. Sverresborg is best known in Trondheim for its historic hill, and the church is one of the district's recognizable religious buildings.

Who designed the church, and when was it built?

The church was built in 1857 to designs by the architects Heinrich Ernst Schirmer and Wilhelm von Hanno, a pairing well known in nineteenth-century Norwegian architecture. It was consecrated on 30 November 1857. The building follows the "long church" (langkirke) plan, a simple layout with a nave extended along a single axis, executed in gray stone.

What does the building look like?

The style is Neo-Gothic. The church originally had a small roof turret. In 1900 it was replaced by a west tower designed by the architect Gustav S. Olsen, which gave the building its present silhouette. A sacristy was added in 1926, and large parts of the old interior were restored in 1933.

How many people does it seat?

The church seats about 200 people. That makes it a modest neighborhood church rather than a grand ceremonial building, which suits the intimate feel of its services and concerts.

What is its role today?

Havstein Church is a parish church of the Church of Norway. It is part of the Sverresborg parish, which belongs to the Heimdal og Byåsen deanery (prosti) in the Diocese of Nidaros. It was originally built as an annex church to Strinda church, and in 1970 it became the main church of the Sverresborg parish.

Is it worth visiting?

For anyone interested in church architecture, it is a good example of Norwegian Neo-Gothic from the 1850s, tied to well-known architects. Access to the interior depends on service times and parish events, so check the Sverresborg parish information before visiting. The exterior can be seen at any time, for example on a walk through the western part of Trondheim.

Frequently asked questions

When was Havstein Church built? In 1857; it was consecrated on 30 November that year.

Who designed it? Heinrich Ernst Schirmer and Wilhelm von Hanno. The 1900 west tower was designed by Gustav S. Olsen.

How many people does it seat? About 200.

Which parish does it belong to? The Sverresborg parish, in the Heimdal og Byåsen deanery, Diocese of Nidaros.

What is it built from? Gray stone, in a long church layout.