Ljusterö kyrka is a white-painted, octagonal timber church standing near Mellansjö by the lake now called Kyrksjön, in the middle of Ljusterö island in the Stockholm archipelago. Its unusual shape and long history as a rural chapel make it a distinctive stop for visitors exploring the island.
Northern Ljusterö is thought to have had its first chapel from as early as the 1500s, with sources agreeing a chapel certainly stood here by the 1600s. It was built within the village of Mellansjö, then a cluster of farms on a hill beside what was known as Mittensjön. Following the village's land reallotment (laga skifte) in 1865, several farms were moved out to new sites.
A new chapel replaced the older one in the mid-1700s, built around 250 metres north-east of the original, on the shore of the lake that was subsequently renamed Kyrksjön. Wikipedia dates this building to 1751–1755, constructed of horizontal log timber with a red-painted external panelling and board roof, replacing the earlier chapel and its free-standing bell tower. Older maps from the 1720s and 1730s already show a chapel, bell tower and rectory on the site.
The church gained its present appearance during a major rebuilding in 1894, overseen by architect Hjalmar Kumlien, when the octagonal plan was completed and a tower with lantern and spire was added above the porch, replacing the earlier free-standing bell tower. The church still rests on a foundation of blasted granite, with a chancel closed on three sides to the east and a sacristy attached to the north.
Inside, the carved wooden font was supplied in 1927 by the firm Libraria, and the pulpit dates from the 1894 renovation. A votive ship, modelled on a type of fishing vessel known as a piggskuta, was donated to the church in 1954 — a reminder of the maritime life of the surrounding archipelago. The organ facade dates from 1847–48, designed by Carl-Gustaf Blom-Carlsson, while the current pneumatic organ was built in 1928 by Åkerman & Lund and later adjusted in 1970.
A yellow-painted rectory from 1870 stands beside the church to the east, and the churchyard is enclosed by a dry-stone wall dating from the 1750s.
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A listed ramp does not confirm step-free access throughout the building.
Österåkers pastorat
Österåkers pastorat
Ljusterö kyrka is a white-painted, octagonal timber church standing near Mellansjö by the lake now called Kyrksjön, in the middle of Ljusterö island in the Stockholm archipelago. Its unusual shape and long history as a rural chapel make it a distinctive stop for visitors exploring the island.
Mellansjövägen 45, 184 95, Ljusterö
Explore this church: Ljusterö kyrkaChurch information: Svenska kyrkan, Platser · CC BY 4.0. Each church page includes its credits and visiting notes.
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View church details: ÄngskyrkanSources, 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: 2 Jun 2026. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: 40d0b2ee-dd3e-4e1c-a97b-483ffd72394a
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.