Fresta kyrka

Fresta church stands in an area rich in runestones. The Jarlabanke stone, known since the 17th century, stands by the eastern churchyard wall level with the church porch. Over the years the churchyard has been extended in three stages, and the newest section contains a beautiful memorial garden, most recently rebuilt and reinaugurated in the autumn of 2014. In the oldest part of the churchyard, near the sacristy, lie among others parishioner and hymn writer Emmy Köhler, who wrote the well-known song or hymn "Nu tändas tusen juleljus" ("Now a Thousand Christmas Candles Are Lit").

Construction of Fresta church began as early as the late 12th century. The chancel and sacristy date from the first half of the 13th century and were built in the Romanesque style. The 1776 restoration, however, dealt harshly with the old medieval church, during which, among other things, the bell tower was erected. The figurative wall paintings date from the mid-15th century and can be attributed to the so-called Strängnäs school.

The organ nearest the gallery railing is one of the country's oldest preserved organ works, dating from the late 17th century. The organ builder's name is not documented, but the similarities with George Woytzig's other works are notable. The organ came to Fresta in 1788. The oldest objects in Fresta church are the font and a processional crucifix, both dating from the 13th century. The sandstone font is well preserved, despite having at one time been used as a flower urn at Odenslunda estate. The processional crucifix, found in the sacristy, is carved in lime or alder wood and shaped with Romanesque restraint. The late medieval altarpiece is not placed in its original position at the altar, but hangs on the church's south wall. It has been considered to have been made in Germany around 1470. However, Lennart Karlsson (1933-2014), a medieval expert, argues that it is a domestic work. The main motif of the altarpiece is the so-called apocalyptic Madonna. On the outside of one wing of the altarpiece is a motif depicting Christ appearing on the altar to Pope Gregory, one of the four Latin Church Fathers. On the other wing is a motif of the Adoration of the Magi. Among 20th-century events, the 1934 restoration can be mentioned, during which the whitewashed-over paintings were uncovered, the limestone floor we see today was laid, and the church received electric heating.

In 1982 the church received a new main organ, placed behind the old one. The organ was built by Bruno Christensen & Sønner. In 1991, contrary to a decision by the Swedish National Heritage Board and a ruling by the Administrative Court of Appeal, the parish created a fire escape route in the western wall of the medieval sacristy. In 2012 the church received new facade plaster and was repainted on the outside in the yellow-white colour of 1910, used as a model. The church building and its objects have a rich history. But the church is not merely a monument to what has been. People gather here for worship, children are baptised, couples in love get married, and farewells are said to the dead. Fresta church is also associated with a lively musical tradition, with several choirs and music services drawing many participants.