Själevads kyrka, in the Ångermanland district of Själevad, has repeatedly been voted one of Sweden's most beautiful churches, and since spring 2023 its image has even appeared on a postage stamp. This striking octagonal building crowns a hillside overlooking the Moälven valley.
The present church was built between 1876 and 1880, replacing a medieval church dedicated to St Olof that stood nearby. That older stone church was demolished in 1876, reportedly in secret and without the necessary permission, for fear of protests from parishioners; it proved so sturdily built that it eventually had to be blown up. A stone setting and a cross once fixed to the old roof mark the former site, close to the present building.
Construction of the new church was led by master builder P O Hillgren and largely carried out through communal labour, with households in the parish taking turns to contribute days of work according to their means. The church was consecrated on 12 September 1880 by Bishop Lars Landgren. Its style is partly neoclassical, with column-fronted gables recalling a Greek temple, enclosing a bright and airy interior. The octagonal plan was reportedly adopted to fit the chosen site, which also meant reversing the usual orientation, with the altar to the west and entrance to the east.
The domed ceiling seen today dates from a renovation in 1923. Notable furnishings include an altarpiece attributed to Johan Edler the elder, made in the eighteenth century, and an altar painting from 1923 by local artists Gustaf Strandberg and Gunnar Wiberg, a copy after Peter Paul Rubens. A copy of Thorvaldsen's Christ, acquired at auction before 1880, stands beside the altarpiece. The granite font dates from 1959, and the church's substantial 53-stop organ was built in 2007 by Grönlunds Orgelbyggeri.
In early 1986 the church suffered a break-in during which historic church silver was stolen; the thieves were later caught and convicted, though the silver itself was feared melted down or sold abroad. New silver was acquired and consecrated in 1992, but remarkably the original stolen items resurfaced and were returned in 2002. A carillon of bells was installed in the tower in 2015 and later expanded.
From this elevated, octagonal church there are wide views over Själevadsfjärden and the Moälven valley, and it remains a popular setting for weddings, with an active tradition of music and choirs.
Opening hours have not been confirmed for the current date. This does not mean the church is closed.
The church is also open at weekends in connection with services and occasional ceremonies, which may affect the time and accessibility.
On Wednesday afternoons, Thursdays and Fridays the church may also be closed due to funerals.
Check access with the parish before travelling. Services and seasonal changes can affect visits.
Listed by the provider; availability has not been independently checked. An unlisted facility is not necessarily unavailable.
A listed ramp does not confirm step-free access throughout the building.
Parking at the parish hall or the funeral chapel; only disabled parking is available in front of the church.
A charging point is available at Själevad parish hall.
Entrance with a ramp at the main entrance
Själevads församling
Själevads församling
Själevads kyrka, in the Ångermanland district of Själevad, has repeatedly been voted one of Sweden's most beautiful churches, and since spring 2023 its image has even appeared on a postage stamp. This striking octagonal building crowns a hillside overlooking the Moälven valley.
Hampnäsvägen 27, 894 31, Själevad
Explore this church: Själevads kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
Multrå kyrka is a neoclassical stone church near Sollefteå in Ångermanland, with a whitewashed exterior and slender tower. Its pulpit, made in 1864 in white and gold by Hans Jakob Sundström, is one of several…
Multrå kyrkobord 305, Sollefteå
View church details: Multrå kyrkaA church in Häggenås-Lit-Kyrkås parish.
Österåsvägen 7
View church details: Häggenås kyrkaBarsta kapell is a well-preserved fishing chapel above the old fishing hamlet of Barsta, in Nordingrå parish, Kramfors pastorate, part of Härnösand diocese. Reached by a short climb from the shore, it remains a striking…
870 30, Nordingrå
View church details: Barsta kapellHotagens kyrka, a stone church dating from 1861, stands on the scenic Kyrknäset headland in Jämtland, surrounded by water on three sides, near the shores of Lake Hotagen.
830 67, Valsjöbyn
View church details: Hotagens kyrkaSources, credits and English adaptations are identified on each church page. Provider data: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0.
Provider catalogue data: Svenska kyrkan, Platser, CC BY 4.0. Separately credited descriptions retain their stated source and licence terms. Catalogue and visiting data reformatted from the provider. The English guide combines and abridges separately credited sources below.
Provider record updated: 1 Jul 2025. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: 5bd0ea1f-5591-49bc-b3d9-51e8d036b314
This English guide combines, abridges and translates the sources below with AI assistance, with editorial contributions by Churches in Sweden. It has not been independently verified. The adapted guide text is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photographs and map data have their own terms.