Norrbärke kyrka

When Norrbärke became its own parish in 1646, work began to transform an old and dilapidated chapel into a proper parish church. The sacristy, in the worst condition, was renovated first in 1661, followed by repairs and an extension to the walls between 1668 and 1670. A further expansion adding side aisles began in 1704 but was interrupted in 1708 when the vaults collapsed; work did not resume until 1718 and was finally completed in 1724.

The striking 44.5-metre tower was built between 1682 and 1685, replacing an earlier wooden bell tower. Its spire is said to share a design, attributed to the architect Jean de la Vallée, with that of Mora church. Over time the spire began to lean and was straightened in 1927, then adjusted again in 1951 after damage from wood-boring beetles. The tower holds three bells, the largest of uncertain origin, recast in 1672 and 1771; the smallest may have medieval origins and was recast in 1643.

The church interior has been altered repeatedly, notably in 1888, when the floor and joists were replaced, followed by a 1927 restoration that reversed many of those Victorian-era changes. Later work included re-roofing with copper in 1969, whitewashing of the walls, and a major 1988–89 renovation that rewired the building, cleaned the pillars and vaults, and introduced a side altar in the north aisle along with repositioned painted chancel windows.

Among the furnishings is a late Baroque pulpit made in 1750 by P. Holmin, who also created the surround for the altarpiece. The altarpiece itself, painted by G. E. Schröder and depicting the Last Supper, was donated to the church in 1757. Beneath it hang three Passion paintings by Gunnar Torhamn, added later. An older altarpiece from 1688 depicting the Eucharist, and another still older one showing the Crucifixion, are also preserved within the church, having been moved between locations over the twentieth century.

Other notable objects include a font turned from Gotland limestone and donated in 1961, a wooden sculpture of Mary and the infant Jesus given in 1984, and a meditation crucifix by Klas Norgren donated in 1995. Fourteen brass chandeliers hang in the church, the largest of which, dating from 1735, incorporates a striking clock with four faces. The church also contains a historic organ with origins traced to the early eighteenth century, rebuilt several times, alongside the current main organ built in 1878 and a smaller chancel organ added in 1962.