Torpo Stave Church

The small church interior feels incomplete without its chancel. The large arch marks the former chancel opening, retained after the chancel was widened to match the nave. The earliest, narrower chancel was separated from the nave by a plank partition with a narrow doorway. The main altar stood in the chancel, while two side altars stood in the nave, one on either side of the chancel arch. Today, the nave is dominated by a large, decorated canopy. Beneath its vault was a rood loft—a gallery reached by a spiral staircase. The chancel partition and side altars were removed when the loft and canopy were added in the second half of the thirteenth century. The canopy preserves some of Norway’s oldest painted decoration. On its rear wall, Mary and John are depicted mourning. Between them is an empty space where Christ on the cross is missing. The barrel vault is divided into seven panels. The central panel depicts Christ holding a book of the law, his left hand raised in blessing. He is surrounded by the symbols of the four Evangelists. Two further panels depict the twelve Apostles. Peter with his key and Paul with his sword appear towards the north side of the nave. Christ and the Apostles witness the martyrdom of St Margaret, depicted in the two lower panels on either side. In front of the opening into the chancel, the outline of a shrouded human figure is carved into a floorboard. It marks a grave beneath the floor, traditionally said to belong to a bishop of Stavanger. The earliest openings for daylight are circular holes, four high up on each side wall. Two glazed windows were installed in 1628.