Gillstads kyrka is a parish church in the village of Gillstad, in Lidköping Municipality, Västra Götaland County. Its history stretches back to the medieval period, though the building visitors see today largely reflects later rebuilding and repair work.
The earliest recorded church here, built during the 1200s, had an earthen floor and a timber roof. Other accounts trace the site's origins to the 1100s, with the building's present appearance owing much to alterations made in the 1600s and 1700s. Around 1680 the chancel was widened to match the nave, and in the following century the windows were enlarged and new openings added.
The tower has had its own troubled history: it collapsed at some point and was rebuilt, with the year 1924 still visible on its front. In the early twentieth century further changes to the church were debated, including a proposal for demolition that was ultimately abandoned. Instead the building was remodelled and reconsecrated in 1925.
Among the church's most notable furnishings is a sandstone font dating from the 1100s, with a cylindrical basin, a sculpted collar, and drainage holes typical of fonts of that era. Also of note is an oak sculpture of the Virgin and Child from the late 1200s, some 100 cm tall, showing Mary crowned and enthroned with the infant Jesus on her knee, both figures carved from a single piece of wood.
The pulpit, dated 1744, is fixed to the wall without a supporting foot and is divided into panelled fields, each bearing a carved figure representing the four evangelists, Moses, and another holy figure. The altar decoration is attributed to Georg Baselaque, a master craftsman associated with nearby Läckö Castle.
A free-standing timber bell tower south-east of the church was built in 1768, and it houses two bells, one cast in 1687 and the other in 1764. To the west of the church lie most of the burial grounds, including a small number of gravestones dating from the medieval period and others from the 1600s and 1700s, some in poor condition.
Opening hours have not been confirmed for the current date. This does not mean the church is closed.
Additional opening information is awaiting translation. Check the official visitor-information link before travelling.
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.
Södra Kållands pastorat
Södra Kållands pastorat
Gillstads kyrka is a parish church in the village of Gillstad, in Lidköping Municipality, Västra Götaland County. Its history stretches back to the medieval period, though the building visitors see today largely reflects later rebuilding and repair work.
Råda församlingshem 1, 53196, Lidköping
Explore this church: Gillstads kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
Rydboholms kyrka stands beside the Viskan river in Rydboholm, part of Kinnarumma parish in Borås municipality. Built as a factory church for the local textile works, it remains a distinctive example of nineteenth-century industrial patronage…
Viksvägen 10, 515 70, Rydboholm
View church details: Rydboholms kyrkaUlricehamns kyrka stands close to the shores of Lake Åsunden in the centre of Ulricehamn, at the heart of Ulricehamns församling in the Diocese of Skara. Its plain stone walls conceal a long and layered…
Västra Kyrkogatan, 523 30, Ulricehamn
View church details: Ulricehamns kyrkaLindärva kyrka is the oldest and smallest church in Sävare parish, a Romanesque building raised in the later 1100s from roughly dressed stone. Its intimate, ancient character remains remarkably intact, making it a rewarding stop…
Lindärva kyrka, 53191, VINNINGA
View church details: Lindärva kyrkaLocation and available visiting information. A fuller English guide is still to be added.
View church details: Vist 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: 29 Jun 2023. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: eede875d-89cf-4422-bdf4-881e284ff0bc
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.