Biri Church

About

Biri Church (Norwegian: Biri kirke) is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Gjøvik Municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. It is located in the village of Biri. It is the church for the Biri parish which is part of the Toten prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Hamar. The white, wooden church was built in a cruciform design in 1777 using plans drawn up by the architect Amund Nilsen Gloppe. The church seats about 450 people.

History: The first church in Biri was a wooden stave church that was built during the second half of the 12th century. This church was located about 30 metres (98 ft) to the north of the present church. Around 1660, the old church was enlarged by adding transept wings to the north and south to create a cruciform floor plan. The church fell into disrepair over time and the congregation grew too large for the small building. By the 1770s, it was decided to tear down the old church and to build a new church. Amund Nilsen Gloppe was hired to design and build the new church. The new wooden cruciform building was built about 30 metres (98 ft) to the south of the old church. It had the chancel in the eastern wing with a small sacristy extension as well. They...