Trinity Church (Arendal)

Historie

Trinity Church, full name Church of Holy Trinity, is the parish church of Trinity parish located in Arendal, Norway. The church is a cruciform church basilicas in neo-Gothic style with short cross arms and 1,200 seats. It is the third church in Arendal, and all had the same name. Plans to build the present church was adopted by the Arendal town council in 1883. The foundation stone was laid down 7 August 1885, and 29 June 1888 the church was consecrated.First ChurchThe first church was built in timber in direction east-west. The eastern section was divided into two wings, one was the altar and the king's chair, the other an organ. The pulpit was placed where the wings meet. The church was consecrated on 6 December 1670 and was named "Holy Trinity". The church became too small and was demolished in 1832 to make room for the new church.Second ChurchThe town's second church was built in the Empire style in 1836 in the same location as the first church. This church was designed by Christian H. Grosch, was octagonal, and had 555 seats. The foundation stone was laid down in 1833 by Crown Prince Oscar (later King of Sweden and Norway). The church had no altar, but a large gypsum replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen's famous Christ sculpture.