The Hol Church is found on the crest of a small rise, roughly three kilometres from Leknes (a village which obtained town status in 2002). In the old days, churches were typically situated in clear view, often easily seen from both the road and the sea. While the Hol Church, on the other hand, is situated slightly out of sight. As a consequence, it is relatively difficult to reach the church.

The Hol Church is painted white and has a cross-plan. It has a slate-clad hipped roof and a small steeple located above the mid-point where the cross arms meet. The church is made of timber using the cogging joint method, and is externally clad with horizontal panelling. Stylistically the church is simple and demonstrates the pure Empire style - with tall windows that terminate with a semicircle. The main entrance, which includes a porch, is traditionally situated by facing west. The cross arm to the north has an entrance that leads directly to the sanctuary room.

The first church located in Hol was erected in the Middle Ages. Traditionally the Hol Church was a chapel of ease that belonged to the Buksnes Church, where the vicarage was also located. The current Hol Church is preserved by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage - designated as a church building from the period 1650-1850.

1806

Hol parish

Church

Woodwork

cogging joint method

timber

church

woodwork

log construction

cruciform church

hipped rood

ridge turret

slate

empire style

Berg, Ola: Buksnes bygdebok, bind I og II, Bodø 1950, opptrykk 1984

Berg, Per: Hol bygdebok, Bodø 1971.

Ellingsen, Hilda Hol: "Hol kirke gjennom tidene", Lofotboka 2003.