Rennebu Church

The first church in Rennebu may have been built around the year 1100, and remains from the church suggest that it was a stave church. The church was probably in very poor condition when it was taken down, and a new church was completed in 1669.

The new church has a quite distinctive design. It is shaped like a Y, a type of church unique to Norway. Originally there were 10 Y-shaped churches; today only five remain. The idea for the Y-shaped churches probably came from Titus Bülche, a Danish official who came to Norway around 1660 as a church inspector. There may be several reasons why this shape was chosen. It provided good visibility of the altar for everyone. It created closeness between the pulpit and the congregation. It also established a clear separation between men and women, who at that time used different parts of the church. Theologically, the Y-shape could be justified as symbolizing the Trinity.

Above the chancel arch hangs a crucifix from the 13th century. The crucifix represents a continuity in the church space from the Middle Ages to today. How is Christ depicted on this cross? There are two types of medieval crucifixes. On one type, Christ’s body is straight, his arms are stretched out, and he faces forward. This is often the oldest type, the Romanesque crucifix or triumphal crucifix. On the other type, Christ hangs with his arms, head tilted, and often with crossed legs. This is usually a Gothic crucifix or a Passion crucifix. These two ways of depicting Jesus reflect a change in preaching and understanding of Christ: from being the strong one who triumphs over death, to later being portrayed as the suffering one, compassionate toward all the world’s suffering.

Outside Rennebu Church stands a milestone. It states that it is 101 km from here to Trondheim and Nidaros Cathedral.

Contact the pilgrim host in Gammelbua 250 meters away if you wish to enter the church. Please call in advance, +47 900 89 174. Before 24. June and after 18. August and also outside the opening hours, the following can be contacted: Joar (+47 995 42 018), Else (+47 932 27 345) or Tora (+47 901 74 776).