Grolanda kyrka is a parish church in Floby, Västra Götaland, standing in Skara stift. Built in 1759 on the site of a medieval predecessor, it remains an active place of worship with a distinctive history of survival and restoration.
The present church was built in 1759, replacing an earlier medieval church on the same spot. Part of the old building survives: the northern wall of the medieval church was retained and now forms the oldest surviving section of Grolanda kyrka. The tower was added in 1863, at which point the roof took on its current form and an opening was made on the south side, according to designs attributed to Thor Medelplan.
In the summer of 1918 the church had a narrow escape when lightning struck the spire. Damage was largely confined to the tower chamber, which burned but was soon rebuilt, sparing the rest of the structure.
Interior restoration took place in 1953, when a new floor and electric heating were installed and the conservator Olle Hellström of Skara recreated the church's original colour scheme; further changes to the decoration followed in 1988.
The most striking feature for visitors entering the church is the altarpiece, an elaborate composition in French Baroque style with rococo touches, dating from 1759 and including a bronze altar crucifix. The altar painting depicts Christ in Gethsemane. The pulpit, from the mid-eighteenth century and associated with the Ullberg workshop in Velinga, depicts Christ with the evangelists; it is thought to have come originally from Skärvum church, once an independent parish later united with Grolanda. The font, of a simple Romanesque type, is said to be as old as the church itself, and a silver communion chalice is attributed to the Stockholm silversmith Kilian Kjellsson.
The church's first organ was acquired in 1764 (sources differ, with one giving 1762), built by Johan Ewerhardt the elder of Skara; it remained in use until 1913 and was reportedly a gift from a local benefactor. It underwent significant renovation in 1891. The current organ, with fourteen stops, was built by an organ workshop in Lidköping; one stop displayed in the facade is said to survive from the original instrument, though the exact date of the present organ's installation is uncertain.
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.
Floby pastorat
Floby pastorat
Grolanda kyrka is a parish church in Floby, Västra Götaland, standing in Skara stift. Built in 1759 on the site of a medieval predecessor, it remains an active place of worship with a distinctive history of survival and restoration.
Grolanda kyrka
Explore this church: Grolanda kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
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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: 8 Jun 2022. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: 1362415d-66a2-4308-9fb2-14bca9729b55
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.