Borgstena kyrka is a medieval parish church in Västra Götaland, in the northern part of Borås kommun, part of Fristads församling in Skara stift. Its oldest parts date from the 1100s, though the building took its present form in 1753.
The church stands on a hill beside the road just east of Borgstena village. It began as a small stone building, probably in the 12th or possibly 13th century, and was substantially enlarged in 1753, when it was extended southwards and eastwards and given larger windows. Much of the Baroque interior dates from the 1770s and survives largely unchanged, including a painted ceiling and apostle images on the gallery front attributed to the artist Ditlof Ross.
The church's most remarkable object is its font, carved from sandstone in the later 12th century. Richly decorated with scenes including the Tree of Knowledge and Adam and Eve, and bearing an as-yet undeciphered runic inscription, it is considered one of the most expressive Romanesque fonts in the Västergötland region, showing possible English stylistic influence. The original was removed to the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm in 1870 after suffering weather damage while it stood outdoors; the font now in the church is a concrete cast made for the parish in 1952. The accompanying font dish is thought to date from the 15th century.
Other furnishings include an altarpiece depicting the Crucifixion, painted in 1766 by an unrecorded artist, its frame donated by a local naval officer and his wife whose coat of arms appears at its base. A 17th-century pulpit, carved by an unknown craftsman, is decorated with figures of the four evangelists and Christ, and an older altarpiece together with two carved wooden figures, restored in 1956, hang nearby. Enclosed pews with decorative wrought-iron fastenings and a sundial dated 1692 on the exterior wall add further points of interest.
A short distance from the church stands a separate wooden bell tower, possibly built in 1851, with red-painted panelling and an oak-shingle roof. It houses two undated late-medieval bells. A slate-roofed lychgate and wrought-iron gate lead into the old churchyard.
The church organ, built in 1967 by Nordfors & Co, stands on the west gallery and incorporates some older pipework in its pedal division.
Opening hours have not been confirmed for the current date. This does not mean the church is closed.
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.
Fristads församling
Fristads församling
Borgstena kyrka is a medieval parish church in Västra Götaland, in the northern part of Borås kommun, part of Fristads församling in Skara stift. Its oldest parts date from the 1100s, though the building took its present form in 1753.
Länsvägen 3, 513 97, Borgstena
Explore this church: Borgstena kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
Skeby kyrka, a Romanesque parish church near Källby in Västra Götaland, dates from around 1150 and is notable for its unusual pulpit-altar and remarkable medieval font. Built of local Kinnekulle sandstone, it remains one of…
Skeby kyrka, 531 95, KÄLLBY
View church details: Skeby kyrkaHumla kyrka stands on high ground above the Ätra valley in Ulricehamn municipality, visible from all directions across the village. The present church was consecrated in 1891 on the site of a medieval predecessor, from…
Blidsberg Prästgården 102
View church details: Humla kyrkaSkölvene kyrka serves the parishes of Skölvene and Norra Säm, in what is now Herrljungabygdens församling in the Diocese of Skara. This modest nineteenth-century church stands on the site of a medieval predecessor and holds…
Stationsvägen 7, Östra Kyrkogatan
View church details: Skölvene kyrkaLocation and available visiting information. A fuller English guide is still to be added.
Forshems kyrka, 533 94, FORSHEM
View church details: Forshems 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: 17 Jun 2025. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: bf429cb6-7934-4238-bf4c-370849561ff4
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.