Rossabø Church

Rossabø Church (Rossabø kirke) is a Church of Norway parish church in the southern part of Haugesund, in Rogaland county on Norway's west coast. Built of concrete and completed in 1972, it is one of the region's most striking examples of postwar church architecture.

What should you know about Rossabø Church?

The church serves the Rossabø parish, part of the Haugaland deanery in the Diocese of Stavanger. It is not a medieval landmark. It is a modern building whose appeal lies in its bold form and its consistent use of raw concrete. For anyone interested in twentieth-century architecture, it is a good reason to explore this side of the town.

Who designed the church?

The architects were Per Amund Riseng and Jan Stensrud. They won an open architectural competition held in 1966, and the church was finished six years later, in 1972. It is regarded as one of Norway's best examples of brutalism, a style built on exposed concrete and simple, massive forms.

What does the building look like?

Descriptions differ slightly. Some sources call the plan fan-shaped, while Norwegian sources describe a roughly square plan. The core of the church is approximately square, topped by a roof shaped like a skewed pyramid with a lantern that lets daylight into the interior. The whole structure is concrete, giving it the raw, sculptural character typical of brutalism.

How many people does it hold?

The church room has about 360 seats. The adjoining parish hall adds around 240 more, so with both spaces opened together the building can accommodate up to 600 people. This makes it suitable for ordinary services as well as larger gatherings.

Is the church protected?

Yes. Norway's Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren) has declared the church worthy of preservation. It is a clear sign that architecture from the 1960s and 1970s is valued in Norway as part of the country's cultural heritage.

Has the building been extended?

A newer wing has been added with offices, an additional church room, facilities for scouts and meeting rooms. The extension project is dated to 2021. As a result, the complex also works as a hub for local community life.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Rossabø Church? In the southern part of Haugesund, in Haugesund Municipality, Rogaland county.

What style is it? A modern concrete building in the spirit of brutalism, completed in 1972.

Who designed it? Per Amund Riseng and Jan Stensrud, winners of the 1966 competition.

How many people can it hold? About 360 in the church room and up to 600 when the parish hall is included.

Is it worth seeing? If you are interested in twentieth-century architecture, especially brutalism, it is an interesting stop while exploring Haugesund. It is an active parish church, so plan any visit to the interior around its regular activities.