The oldest church had an unvaulted nave but got in the early 13th century
vaults supported by columns and a tower with a portal obviously inspired
by the west portal, of the church of St. Mary in Visby. The south portal
has preserved very ancient capitals reminding of those in Ala. In about
1300 the Gothic chancel with a sumptuous portal was erected. Note the fine
stained glass windows in the chancel;in stylistic correspondence with these
are the paintings on the inside of the doors of the wall cupboard in the
choir, representing the Annunciation. Of roughly the same date; 1300, are
some wooden figures from a destroyed retable, including a Christ of the
Resurrection. The Holy Rood a singulary fine and well preserved work in
French Rhinelandish style by the master of the famous Viklau madonna (ca
1170), belonged to the old church and so did the font. The pulpit, among
the older ones in Got land, is dated 1586 but was painted later. The joiner
John Dunderhake and the painter Magnus Möller from Visby made the altar
piece in 1759.
Photo Hans Hemlin
Text Dr. Bengt G Söderberg
©1997 Created by Sören_Gannholm