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Solglyt Lodge > Activities >Woodworking > Stave Church Replica > Stave Church Replica continued
Lodge Activities - Stave Church Replica Continued
In March of 2003, Wayne Nordstrom, a member of Sons of Norway Solglyt Lodge in Edmonton, was interested in having a scale model of the Gol Stave Church built for display. Initially, it would be shown at the Scandinavian Showcase event to be held in Edmonton as part of the “feature country” component of Klondike Days from July 17th-26th. The model would also be made available for display, upon request, at other Scandinavian-related events in Alberta.
Gol Stave Church replica
1:15 scale
Stave Church Display
at Scandinavian Showcase 2003

A group of interested participants was organized to build the model.

It was decided to build the model at a scale of 1/15th the size of the original church. The drawings that Anders Anderson had prepared for the Minot replica were used for building the model and were an invaluable resource.

Currently, the following people have worked on the model:
Þ Anders Anderson
Þ Dennis Douglas
Þ Wayne Nordstrom
Þ Jo Storhaug
Þ Nathan Schmidt
Þ Stan Johnson
Þ Bob Ardiel
Þ Bjarne Myhre
Þ John Stensland
Laying out the floor
The church model builders generally meet once per week over the winter months and work on the model in Dennis Douglas’ garage in Edmonton. About 600 hours of time has gone into it as of December 2004. It is beginning to take shape and has drawn the attention of a number of people and organizations.
Initial stave structure

Access TV (Channel 9) has interviewed the builders and videotaped the church. They aired that segment of the program on May 14, 2004. A presentation about stave churches was also given in May 2004 to the Norwegian Lafthus Society in Red Deer, Alberta.

In October 2004, the model was on display for the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the Sons of Norway Lodge in Red Deer. Those who have seen the model have been impressed by it and it has served to promote a greater awareness of Norwegian culture.
Staves & Scissor Beam
Roof Construction
Roof with Dragon Heads
St. Andrews Crosses
Partially Shingled

It is expected to take another year's work to bring the church to completion since the model builders only meet about once per week over the winter months. Once the model is completed it will be housed and put on display within the Dutch Canadian Centre in Edmonton where many of the Scandinavian functions take place.

If you would like to use the model for display at one of your Scandinavian functions and/or to have someone speak about stave churches, please contact Wayne Nordstrom at 780-459-4370 or email him at uffda@connect.ab.ca. We would be happy share this part of Norwegian heritage with you.
Landscaping on the church grounds