Bodin kirke

The Bodin kirke

It is told that this church was built in the year 1240, because coins of this year were found under the floor. The church was rebuilt several times.

This church was very important in former times, because it was the only church where everyone got baptised - until the church in Saltstraumen was built.
Usually the place for getting baptised was in the back of the church - because you have to get baptised first and then you are part of the church community. But the area for getting baptised in Bodin church is in the front.

Some people had to take a risky way for getting baptised and some of them died during that way.

The Bodin church is a catholic church. Because of this reason you can find some crosses within the building.
The Pictures shows one cross, which many people touch and then make a cross on their face. The cross is a symbol for the relationship between god and human beings. The cross is very important for christians.

The candlesticks in Bodin kirke are very special as well.  They were mounted in 1764. Each candlestick has got some inscription. Furthermore, the candles were very expensive - each candle

costed eight cows.  As you can see on the Pictures there are many candles on one candlestick - rich church.

Another proof that the church is quite old are the church doors. One old door was found in a farm. When the people found out that it was part of the former church they restored it and took this door as example to build all the other ones.
Nameshields were fixed at every bench - every family had it`s own bench. Fishermen usually had to stand.

Also the altar was found outside the church. It was used as a stair to get to the toilet which was situated outside. Then some people found out that it is an altar and put it inside the church. Inside the altar is a little note from the bible.

Within the altarpiece are many levels, it is built in barockstyle and it has got many details. The columns of the altarpiece look like stone and after some time flowers where drawn there. In former times the church wasn`t that high, so the top of the altarpiece couldn`t be seen. Now you can see the statue of Christ coming to heaven.

One big part of the altarpiece is the last supper. There you can see that no one is sitting in the front, so there is place for someone. This can be seen as invitation to join the last supper with Jesus. You can also see there a young boy sleeping next to Jesus - it`s John.



 

"We are sailing in our lives" - Sailing to reach a goal (Christ)

In Bodin church you can find a so called "Churchship". The ship is very important for this part of Norway. It is sailing against the East, because it is told that Christ is going to come back in the East.