Vålerenga Church

Vålerenga Church is an Art Nouveau place of worship in Oslo's Vålerenga district, featuring an asymmetric tower and stone exterior walls. Colorful stained glass windows throughout create a soft, filtered light within the interior space.

The structure was designed by architects Heinrich Jürgensen and Holger Sinding-Larsen and first consecrated in 1902. It underwent major reconstruction following a destructive fire in 1979.

The building inspired the song 'Vålerenga Kjerke' by Trond Ingebretsen, which supporters of the local sports club Vålerenga IF regularly sing during matches. The melody connects many residents to their neighborhood identity.

The building sits centrally in Vålerenga park and remains open to visitors throughout the year. Regular services provide insight into how the space functions as an active place of worship.

After the 1979 fire, artist Håkon Bleken was commissioned to create new works replacing lost frescoes from an earlier period. The 1984 restoration showed how contemporary artistic input could refresh the interior while honoring its past.

Location: Oslo Municipality

Architects: Holger Sinding-Larsen

Architectural style: Art Nouveau

Website: https://kirken.no/valerenga

GPS coordinates: 59.90678,10.78797

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:05