Ödskölts kyrka is a timber church standing high above the lake Iväg in Dalsland, on a site with roots stretching back to the Middle Ages. Though a chapel of modest size, it holds one of Sweden's most remarkable historic bells and a striking Baroque altarpiece.
A wooden church is thought to have stood here in medieval times, demolished to its foundations when the present building was raised, traditionally dated to 1726. Sources differ slightly on the building's development: one account describes the church taking its current form through 1862 alterations, while another highlights a major restoration under architect Fredrik Lilljekvist in 1894, which added the west tower and gable. Much of Lilljekvist's work was subsequently altered by further restorations in the 1920s and again in 1959-60.
The long, narrow nave has straight gable ends, with a sacristy to the east and a porch to the west. Inside, the tredings roof with its open beams gives the space a distinctive rustic character. The chancel was moved eastward during the 1959-60 remodelling and screened from the sacristy by a new east wall; the present colour scheme dates from a repainting in 1992-93.
The altarpiece, carved in a provincial Baroque style and dated 1769, is attributed to Isac Schullström, a sculptor whose work appears in several churches of the diocese. It rises in a single tier above the predella, crowned by a broken triangular pediment bearing the Lamb of God flanked by trumpet-bearing angels, with a Calvary scene at its centre.
Among the church's furnishings is a soapstone font dated to around 1200, its shaft carved with unusual spiral-twisted grooves said to be unique in the region. A separate open bell tower, built in 1959-60 and clad with black-painted wooden shingles, houses three bells. One of these is widely believed to be among the oldest bells still in use in Sweden, dated on the basis of its shape and a deeply incised Latin inscription to the 12th century — an unusual technique, as such lettering was normally raised rather than recessed.
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Steneby församling
Steneby församling
Ödskölts kyrka is a timber church standing high above the lake Iväg in Dalsland, on a site with roots stretching back to the Middle Ages. Though a chapel of modest size, it holds one of Sweden's most remarkable historic bells and a striking Baroque altarpiece.
SÖRGÅRDEN 10, 668 95, Ödskölt
Explore this church: Ödskölts 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: Västra Fågelviks 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: 24 Apr 2023. This is not an independent verification date.
Source record: 1ecbdd7d-e3e1-4b96-9bf8-b7d54aa8cb00
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.