Nes Church, Medieval stone church in Ringsaker Municipality, Norway
Nes Church is a medieval stone building in Ringsaker featuring a cross-shaped layout and a wooden bell tower that blends Anglo-Norman and neo-Gothic architectural features. The structure sits in Tingnes and holds about 320 people, functioning today as an active parish church within the Ringsaker deanery.
The building was constructed around 1250 to replace a wooden stave church from the 11th century that had stood on the same ground. It underwent expansions in 1697 and 1704 when transept wings were added to provide more space.
The church witnessed Norway's birth as an independent nation when it served as a polling place for the 1814 Constitutional Assembly. Local residents gathered here to decide their country's future at a turning point in history.
The site is best reached on foot and sits in a flat, easily accessible area near the village of Tingnes. As an active parish building, visiting hours can be limited, so it helps to check ahead on when you can visit.
During the catastrophic Storofsen flood of 1789, water levels rose so high that worshippers had to paddle boats over cemetery walls to reach services. This event reveals how the building stood in an area prone to major flooding.
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