At one time there were approximately 800 to 1000 stave churches
in Norway, however, only 30 original stave churches remain today.
Several have been moved, re-erected and preserved at new locations.
Replicas of some have been built in the United States.
The Gol Stave Church in Norway is a tiny triple level basilica
that dates back to the early 1200's AD. Gol is in the valley of
Hallingdal in Buskerud County, Norway.
During the Lutheran reformation, 1536-37, the King took possession
of all churches in Norway. In 1723 King Fredrick IV sold Gol and
many other churches together with the associated lands to raise
funds to pay for the Nordic wars. Each church owned much real
estate, which was the principle attraction for one to purchase
a church. Two persons, Ola O. Barkegård, a farmer, and his
friend, Anders Bøyesen, the Nes Parish priest, purchased
Gol and three other churches.
By 1880, the Gol Stave Church became one of the churches destined
for demolition. It had become too small for the numbers of people
in the parish. It was rescued from demolition by the “Fortidmindesmerkeforeningen”
(an association for preservation of old structures in Norway).
They dismantled the church and moved it to Oslo for storage.
