Boteå kyrka

The exact age of Boteå kyrka is not settled. Investigations during a major restoration in 1952-53, overseen by county antiquarian Bo Hellman, uncovered evidence of a semi-circular structure once standing east of the chancel. Hellman interpreted this as an apse and argued it pointed to construction in the late 12th or early 13th century, making it one of the oldest stone churches in the valley. Others have suggested the structure was instead a later medieval sacristy, possibly added in the 15th century, while a further view dates the original nave and chancel to the 13th century based on their proportions, a form rarely used after the early 14th century. Wikipedia gives a plainer account, simply noting a probable 12th-century origin, with a south transept added in the mid-15th century.

The star vaults that now define the interior were added in the early 16th century, after the chancel had been widened and the chapel lengthened. Different vault patterns were used in different parts of the church, described as Vadstena stars in the nave, a Rasbo star in the chancel, and a Cross star in the chapel, with a plainer cross vault over the porch. The vaults were originally painted but these decorations have since been whitewashed over. Dendrochronological sampling of the roof timbers in 1997 dated most of the surviving structural wood to between 1466 and 1502, corresponding to this intensive building period.

The free-standing bell tower dates from 1788 and is attributed to master builder Eurenius, though it was altered during the 19th century. It houses two old bells: a larger one first cast in 1429 and recast in 1635, and a smaller one cast in 1670.

Among the church's furnishings, Wikipedia notes a medieval font, probably 15th or 16th century, an altarpiece with Baroque and Rococo features attributed to Johan Edler the Elder, and a pulpit from 1765 of unknown makers. Historic silver, including a gilded medieval paten and an early 17th-century Hamburg-made ewer, was reportedly lost in a theft; the current organ, installed in 2018, was built by the Italian firm Fratelli Ruffatti.

A further restoration in 2009 addressed both the exterior render and paintwork and the interior, including cleaning and retouching of gilding and painted woodwork, resurfacing of the floor, and changes to the pews, particularly in the chapel where fixed seating was replaced with chairs around a free-standing altar. The bell tower was also repaired at this time.