About this place
Innset Church (Norwegian: Innset kirke) is a timber parish church in the village of Innset, in Rennebu Municipality, Trøndelag county, central Norway. It belongs to the Church of Norway and serves the Innset parish. The present building is young, but the site carries more than three centuries of church history.
What does Innset Church look like?
The church is cruciform in plan, with an exterior of natural, unpainted wood that sits comfortably in the forested valley setting. It was designed by architect Kjell Kvernaas. Inside, there is room for roughly 300 people, a generous capacity for such a small village.
When was the current church built?
The present church was completed in 2000 and consecrated on 22 October of that year. It follows the layout of its predecessor closely, though the roof structure, steeple, porch and the way the interior is used were changed.
What happened to the earlier church?
The first church at Innset dates to 1642 and was built in Baroque style by Palle Joensen. Until 1814 it served as a private church tied to the Innset copper works and its mining community. The old timber church burned to the ground in 1995, and the local community rebuilt it in a new form, giving us today's building.
A venue for concerts
The church is part of the Gauldal deanery in the Diocese of Nidaros, the same diocese as the famous cathedral in Trondheim. Besides regular services, it is a popular place for concerts. The wooden interior and ample seating suit live music, so it is worth checking local event listings before you visit.
Who should visit?
Innset Church suits travellers interested in contemporary timber church architecture and in the copper-mining history of Trøndelag. The contrast between the Baroque origins of the site and the modern cruciform building from 2000 shows how a local community rebuilt what it had lost. Before you go, check opening hours with the parish, since this is a working parish church where services and concerts take place.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Innset Church? In the village of Innset, Rennebu Municipality, Trøndelag, Norway.
Who designed it? Architect Kjell Kvernaas.
How many people does it seat? About 300.
Is it a historic building? The building dates from 2000, but it replaced a Baroque church from 1642 that burned down in 1995.
Are concerts held here? Yes, it is a popular concert venue.
Which diocese does it belong to? The Diocese of Nidaros, in the Gauldal deanery.
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