, native_name_lang = , image = Oslo Cathedral.jpg , imagesize = 230px , imagelink = , imagealt = , landscape = , caption = Oslo Cathedral from Stortorvet , pushpin map =Norway Oslo#Norway , pushpin label position = , pushpin map alt = , pushpin mapsize = , relief = , map caption = , iso region = , coordinates = , osgraw = , osgridref = , location =

Oslo Oslo ( , , or ; sma, Oslove) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of ...

, country =

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...

, denomination = Church of Norway , previous denomination = , churchmanship = , membership = , attendance = , website = , former name = Our Saviour's Church , bull date = , founded date = 1694 , founder = , dedication = , dedicated date = , consecrated date = , cult = , relics = , events = , past bishop = , people = , status = Active , functional status = Cathedral , heritage designation = , designated date = , architect = , architectural type = , style = , years built = 1694-1697 , groundbreaking = , completed date = 1697 , construction cost = , closed date = , demolished date = , capacity = , length = , width = , width nave = , height = , diameter = , other dimensions = , floor count = , floor area = , dome quantity = , dome height outer = , dome height inner = , dome dia outer = , dome dia inner = , spire quantity = 1 , spire height = , materials = , bells = , bells hung = , bell weight = , parish =

, deanery = , archdeaconry = , episcopalarea = , archdiocese = , metropolis = , diocese =

, province = , presbytery = , synod = , circuit = , district = , division = , subdivision = , archbishop = , bishop = Kari Veiteberg , dean = Anne-May Grasaas , provost = , provost-rector = , viceprovost = , subdean = , precentor = , archpriest = , chancellor = , canonchancellor = , canon = , canonmissioner = , canonpastor = , canontreasurer = , succentor = , archdeacon = , prebendary = , rector = , vice-rector = , vicar = , curate = , priestincharge = Elisabeth Thorsen , priest = Valborg Orset Stene
Jonas Lind Aase , asstpriest = , minister = , assistant = , honpriest = , deacon = Kristin Muller-Nilssen , deaconness = , seniorpastor = , pastor = , abbot = , chaplain = , sacristan = , reader = , student intern = , organistdom = , director = Vivianne Sydnes , elder = , organist =

Kåre Nordstoga Kåre Nordstoga (born 18 December 1954) is a Norwegian organist. Nordstoga had his early studies under Harald Aune and Odd Jacob Unhammer in Notodden where he grew up. He went on to study at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, where his tea ...

Marcus André Berg , organscholar = , chapterclerk = , laychapter = , warden = , verger = , businessmgr = , liturgycoord = , reledu = , rcia = , youthmin = , flowerguild = , musicgroup = Oslo Domkirkes Guttekor
Oslo Domkirkes Ungdomskor
Oslo Domkor
Consortium Vocale
Tower Carillon , parishadmin = , serversguild = , logo = , logosize = , logolink = , logoalt = , embedded = Oslo Cathedral ( no, Oslo domkirke) — formerly Our Savior's Church ( no, Vår Frelsers kirke) — is the main church for the Church of Norway

Diocese of Oslo Oslo bishopric is the Church of Norway's bishopric for the municipalities of Oslo, Asker and Bærum. It is one of Norway's five traditional bishoprics and was founded around the year 1070. History Oslo was established as a diocese in 1068. It ...

, as well as the parish church for downtown

. The present building dates from 1694–1697. Oslo Domkirke - IMG 8865

The Norwegian Royal Family and the

Norwegian Government The politics of Norway take place in the framework of a parliamentary, representative democratic constitutional monarchy. Executive power is exercised by the Council of State, the cabinet, led by the prime minister of Norway. Legislative power is ...

use the Cathedral for public events. It was closed for renovation in August 2006 and re-opened with a festive high mass on 18 April 2010.

History

The current Oslo Cathedral is the third cathedral in

, Norway. The first,

Hallvards Cathedral St. Hallvard's Cathedral (''Hallvardskatedralen'') was the former Oslo Cathedral. It fell into disrepair in the 17th century and is today in ruins. The site is located between Bispegata and St. Halvards gate in Oslo, Norway. Summary St. Hal ...

, was built by King

Sigurd I of Norway Sigurd Magnusson (1089 – 26 March 1130), also known as Sigurd the Crusader (Old Norse: ''Sigurðr Jórsalafari'', Norwegian: ''Sigurd Jorsalfar''), was King of Norway (being Sigurd I) from 1103 to 1130. His rule, together with his half-brothe ...

in the first half of the 12th century, and was located by the

Old Bishop's Palace in Oslo The Old Bishop's Palace in Oslo (''Oslo Bispeborg'') was the residence of the Roman Catholic bishops of Oslo. The estate is located in what is now called Gamlebyen (old town) in Oslo, Norway. Various remnants of the medieval bishop's original pal ...

, some east of today's cathedral. For almost 500 years, Hallvards Cathedral was the most important church in the city. After a great fire in Oslo during 1624, King

Christian IV Christian IV (12 April 1577 – 28 February 1648) was King of Denmark and Norway and Duke of Holstein and Schleswig from 1588 until his death in 1648. His reign of 59 years, 330 days is the longest of Danish monarchs and Scandinavian monar ...

decided to move the city a few kilometers west to be protected by

Akershus Fortress Akershus Fortress ( no, Akershus Festning, ) or Akershus Castle ( no, Akershus slott ) is a medieval castle in the Norwegian capital Oslo that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for the city. Since the Middle Ages the fortress h ...

. Construction of a new church was begun in 1632, on the main square in the new city. After that, Hallvards Cathedral fell into disrepair and decayed. In 1639 the second cathedral was built (''Hellig Trefoldighet''). This cathedral burnt down after only 50 years, however, and the current cathedral was built to replace it. The church was probably designed by Jørgen Wiggers, the Councillor of the State ( ''etatsråd''). The current cathedral was erected on a small rocky outcrop in the east end of what would later become Stortorvet. The foundation stone was laid in 1694 and the church was consecrated in November 1697. In August 2001, Oslo Cathedral was the site of the

wedding A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of marriage vo ...

of Prince Haakon, and Princess Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby.

Restoration

The Cathedral was rebuilt between 1848-1850 after a plan by German-born architect, Alexis de Chateauneuf (1799-1853). Another German-born architect,

Heinrich Ernst Schirmer Heinrich Ernst Schirmer (27 August 1814 – 6 December 1887) was a German-born architect most noted for his work in Norway. Schirmer worked in Norway from 1838 to 1883 and left his mark on a number of public buildings. He contributed significant ...

(1814-1887) was the construction manager for the project. When Chateauneuf became ill in 1850, Schirmer retained

Wilhelm von Hanno Andreas Friedrich Wilhelm von Hanno (15 December 1826 – 12 December 1882) was a German-born Norwegian architect, sculptor and painter. He was among the leading architects in Norway during the middle of the 1800s. Biography Wilhelm von Hanno ...

(1826-1882) to complete the project. Oslo Cathedral is located at Stortorvet square north/north-east of

Karl Johans gate Karl Johans gate is the main street of the city of Oslo, Norway. The street was named in honor of King Charles III John, who was also King of Sweden as Charles XIV John. Karl Johans gate is a composite of several older streets that used to be s ...

, between Kirke gate and Dronningens gate. The Cathedral's lower end is surrounded by the Bazaar (''Basarene ved Oslo domkirke''), a curved long building with a tower covered in green copper like the Cathedral. Integrated with Basarene is the Fire Watch (''Brannvakten'') which served as Oslo's main fire station from 1860 until 1939, when today's main fire station at Arne Garborgs plass was opened. The Cathedral, Basarene and Brannvakten are all built in red brick. Both Basarene and Brannvakten were built between the years 1840-1859 from the plans of City Architect,

Christian H. Grosch Christian Heinrich Grosch (21 January 1801 – 4 May 1865) was a Norwegian architect. He was a dominant figure in Norwegian architecture in the first half of the 1800s. Biography Christian Heinrich Grosch was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. H ...

. Art works from recent times in the cathedral include stained glass windows in the choir by

Emanuel Vigeland Emanuel Vigeland (2 December 1875 – 22 December 1948) was a multitalented Norwegian artist. He is known for a variety of decorations of Scandinavian churches and for ''Tomba Emmanuelle'', his mausoleum at Slemdal in Oslo. His elder brother ...

installed between 1910–16, west portal's bronze doors executed by Dagfin Werenskiold (1892-1977) in 1938, and the silver sculpture with communion scene by Italian sculptor Arrigo Minerbi dating from 1930. The ceiling decorations are by Norwegian painter Hugo Lous Mohr (1889-1970). In the latter half of the 1990s, the main organ built by Ryde & Berg of

Fredrikstad Fredrikstad (; previously ''Frederiksstad''; literally "Fredrik's Town") is a List of cities in Norway, city and Municipalities of Norway, municipality in Viken (county), Viken Counties of Norway, county, Norway. The administrative centre of the ...

, was mounted behind the old baroque facade. Restoration was completed at the time of the city's 900 anniversary in 1950. The church was restored under the plans of architect

Arnstein Arneberg Arnstein Rynning Arneberg (6 July 1882 – 9 June 1961) was a Norwegian architect. He was active professionally for 50 years and is often considered the leading architect in Norway of his time. Personal life Arnstein Rynning Arneberg was b ...

. The neo-Gothic interior was removed and the original furnishings brought back. Arneberg also designed the chapel on the south side of the church. The church was closed in August 2006 for renovation and was opened in April 2010 in the presence of

Harald V of Norway Harald V ( no, Harald den femte, ; born 21 February 1937) is King of Norway. He acceded to the throne on 17 January 1991. Harald was the third child and only son of King Olav V of Norway and Princess Märtha of Sweden. He was second in the lin ...

and the Norwegian royal family.

Bishops of Oslo since the Reformation

* 1541–1545

Hans Rev Hans Rev or Hans Reff (about 1489 in Denmark – July/August 1545 in Oslo) was a Danish-Norwegian clergyman. He was the last Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oslo before the Protestant Reformation, and later became the first Lutheran Sup ...

* 1545–1548 Anders Madssøn * 1548–1580 Frants Berg * 1580–1600

Jens Nilssøn Jens Nilssøn (in Latin ''Joannis Nicolai'') (1538–1600) was a Norwegian clergyman, educator, poet and author. He served as the Bishop of Oslo from 1580 to 1600. Biography Nilssøn was born in Oslo, Norway. After the death of his father, his mo ...

* 1601–1607

Anders Bendssøn Dall Anders Bendssøn Dall ( Latinized as Andreas Benedictus Dallinus) was a Danish Lutheran prelate of the Church of Norway who served as Bishop of Oslo from 1601 to 1607. He played an important role in proposing a new church ordinance for the Norweg ...

* 1607–1617

Niels Claussøn Senning Niels Claussøn Senning (c. 1580 – 1617) was a Danish/Norwegian Lutheran Bishop. Senning was born in Helsingør, Denmark. He studied at the University of Copenhagen, traveled as an eighteen year old abroad and received an enrollment at the Un ...

* 1617–1639

Niels Simonsen Glostrup Niels Simonsen Glostrup (died 6 January 1639 in Christiania, Norway) was a Danish priest who became the seventh Lutheran Bishop of Oslo (after 1624: Christiania). Niels Glostrup was born in a small town named Glostrup near Copenhagen, where his f ...

* 1639–1646 * 1646–1664

Henning Stockfleth Henning Stockfleth (c.1610 – 5 February 1664) was a Norwegian cleric and Bishop of Oslo. Biography Henning Eggertsen Stockfleth was born in Haderslev, Denmark. He was the son of Danish merchant Eggert Stockfleth (1565-1638). In 1629, he ...

* 1664–1699

Hans Rosing Hans may refer to: __NOTOC__ People * Hans (name), a masculine given name * Hans Raj Hans, Indian singer and politician ** Navraj Hans, Indian singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and performer, son of Hans Raj Hans ** Yuvraj Hans, Punjabi a ...

* 1699–1712 Hans Munch * 1713–1730

Bartholomæus Deichman Bartholomæus Deichman (9 August 1671 – 13 April 1731) was a Danish/Norwegian clergyman and Bishop. Deichman was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was the son of Carl Deichman (ca. 1639–1684) and his wife Else Pedersdatter (d. ca. 1675). ...

* 1731–1737

Peder Hersleb Peder Hersleb (25 March 1689 – 4 April 1757) was a Norwegian-Danish clergyman and Bishop. Biography Hersleb was born in Steinkjer in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway, the son of Christopher Hersleb and Sophie Borch. He became a student at Trondhei ...

* 1738–1758 Niels Dorph * 1758–1773 Frederik Nannestad * 1773–1804

Christen Schmidt Christen Schmidt (22 February 1727 – 6 October 1804) was a Norwegian bishop. He was born in Kongsvinger as a son of vicar Hans Jacob Schmidt and Alethe S. Lemmich. He enrolled as a student in 1745 and graduated with the cand.theol. degree in Ma ...

* 1805–1822

Frederik Julius Bech Frederik Julius Bech (August 4, 1758 – December 20, 1822) was a Danish-Norwegian theologian and politician. He took part in the Meeting of Notables in Eidsvoll on February 16, 1814, and he served as the bishop of the Diocese of Oslo from 1805 to ...

* 1823–1845

Christian Sørensen Christian Nikolaj Sørensen (born 6 August 1992) is a Danish professional Association football, footballer who plays as a left-back for F.C. Copenhagen, Copenhagen. Club career Sørensen started his football career in Verninge, but has also pl ...

* 1846–1874

Jens Lauritz Arup Jens Lauritz Arup (20 April 1793 – 9 April 1874) was a Norwegian bishop and politician. He was born at Kristiansand in Vest-Agder, Norway. His father was a sexton and a school teacher. In 1811 Arup was sent to Copenhagen to study, but ...

* 1875–1893

Carl Peter Parelius Essendrop Carl Peter Parelius Essendrop (6 June 1818 – 18 October 1893) was a Norwegian Lutheran priest, educator and Bishop of Oslo. Biography Essendrop was born Christiania (now Oslo), Norway. He was the son of Peter Essendrop (1776-1819) and ...

* 1893–1896 * 1896–1912

Anton Christian Bang Anton Christian Bang (18 September 1840 in Dønna, Helgeland – 29 December 1913) was a Norwegian theologian, historian and politician for the Conservative Party of Norway. Bang was one of the more prominent figures within the Church of ...

* 1912–1922

Jens Frølich Tandberg Jens Frølich Tandberg (May 13, 1852 – March 21, 1922) was the bishop of Oslo from 1912 to 1922. Tandberg was born in Hausvik, Norway. He was the son of Jørgen Tandberg, who served as the bishop of the Diocese of Kristiansand from 188 ...

* 1922–1937 * 1937–1951

Eivind Berggrav Eivind Josef Berggrav (25 October 1884 – 14 January 1959) was a Norwegian Lutheran bishop. As primate of the Church of Norway (Norwegian: ''Preses i Bispemøtet i Den norske kirke''), Berggrav became known for his unyielding resistance ag ...

* 1951–1968

Johannes Smemo Johannes Smemo (31 July 1898–7 March 1973) was a Norwegian theologian, psalmist, and a long-time bishop in the Church of Norway. Theologically, he was a conservative, confessional Lutheran priest who lived during the time of great liberal- ...

* 1968–1973

Fridtjov Søiland Birkeli Fridtjov Søiland Birkeli (26 May 1906 – 17 September 1983) was a Norwegian Lutheran missionary, writer, magazine editor, and bishop. He also served in the administration of the Lutheran World Federation. Biography Fridtjov Birkeli was born ...

* 1973–1977

Kaare Støylen Kaare Støylen (3 October 1909 – 22 August 1989) was a Norwegian theologian and priest. He served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Agder from 1957-1973. Personal life Kaare Støylen was born in Aker, Norway, Aker, Norway on 3 October 1909. ...

* 1977–1998

Andreas Aarflot Andreas Aarflot (born 1 July 1928) is a Norwegian theologian and bishop emeritus in the Church of Norway. He was bishop of Oslo from 1977 to 1998. Early life Aarflot was born in Yiyang, China where his mother and father served the Norwegian Mis ...

* 1998–2005

Gunnar Stålsett Gunnar Johan Stålsett (born 10 February 1935, in Nordkapp) is a Norwegian theologian and politician. He was leader of the Centre Party 1977–1979, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation 1985–1993 and bishop of Oslo, in th ...

* 2005–2017

Ole Christian Kvarme Ole Christian Mælen Kvarme (born November 11, 1948 in Molde) is a Norwegian bishop of the Church of Norway. He was bishop of Oslo in the Lutheran Church of Norway from 2005 and 2017. As Bishop of Oslo, Kvarme was the personal prelate of the Norw ...

* 2017- Kari Veiteberg

Organs and organists

The cathedral's first organ was built in 1711 by Carl Gustav Luckvitz, while the current main organ was built by Jan Ryde in 1997 for the 300-year anniversary. The two smaller organs in the cathedral were also built by Ryde og Berg Orgelbyggeri.

Organists

* 1709–1721 Christian Olsen Rode * 1721–1764 Johan Fredrik Clasen * 1764–1769 Johan Adolph Pløen * 1769–1809 Johan Krøyer * 1809–1828 Fredrik Christian Groth * 1820–1826 Frederik Christian Lindeman * 1828–1840 Jacob Andreas Lindeman * 1840–1887

Ludvig Mathias Lindeman Ludvig Mathias Lindeman (28 November 1812 – 11 March 1887) was a Norwegian composer and organist. He is most noted for compiling Norwegian folk music in his work ''Ældre og nyere norske Fjeldmelodier''. Background Ludvig Mathias Lindeman was ...

* 1887–1916 Christian Cappelen * 1913–1916 Wilhelm Huus-Hansen * 1916–1932 Eyvind Alnæs * 1933–1966 Arild Sandvold * 1966–1982 Rolf Karlsen * 1982– Terje Kvam * 1982–

Carillon and carillonneurs

In 1924 Oslo Cathedral received a donation of 24,000

NOK Nok is a village in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The village is an archeological site. Archaeology The discovery of terracotta figurines at this location caused its name to be used for the Nok culture, of which these ...

for a carillon in the belfry, but this was never implemented. In 2003 a second donation, by Ørnulf Myklestad, resulted in a 48-bell concert carillon under the direction of

carillonneur A carillon ( , ) is a pitched percussion instrument that is played with a keyboard and consists of at least 23 cast-bronze bells. The bells are hung in fixed suspension and tuned in chromatic order so that they can be sounded harmonio ...

Vegar Sandholt. This carillon is inside the tower not the belfry, and the acoustical problems arising this location have been highlighted in a 2005

masters thesis Master or masters may refer to: Ranks or titles * Ascended master, a term used in the Theosophical religious tradition to refer to spiritually enlightened beings who in past incarnations were ordinary humans * Grandmaster (chess), National Maste ...

by Laura Rueslåtten for the Scandinavian Carillon School. From December 2016 the carillon has been in regular use for hour, quarter-strokes and ritornelles, with contributions by Vegar Sandholt and Kåre Nordstoga, programmed and maintained by Brynjar Landmark, and with 18 different melodies between 7:00 am and midnight, changing according to the calenda

References

Other sources

* Gervin, Karl ''Oslo domkirke: mennesker og miljøer i 900 år'' slo Cathedral: People and Community for 900 Years(1997) , * (no) Storsletten, Ola ''Kirker i Norge, b. 5: Etter reformasjonen : 1600-tallet'' hurches in Norway, Vol. 5: After the Reformation: The 1600s(2008) * (no) Tronshaug, Hans Jacob ''Oslo domkirkes orgelhistorie : orgler, organister, kantorer og orgelbyggere gjennom fem århundrer'' he Organ of the Oslo Cathedral: Organs, Organists, Cantors and Organ Buiiders through Five Centuries(1998)

External links

Official website
{{Churches in Oslo arch-deanery Christian bell towers Buildings and structures in Oslo Carillons Cathedrals in Norway Lutheran cathedrals in Norway Lutheran churches in Oslo