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Churches in Sweden

Jakob's Church, Hudiksvall

(Note the second image below the text)

Jakob's Church is the parish church of the Hudiksvall-Idenor parish. As it was built as town church for Hudiksvall at the Swedish east coast, it is usually called just Hudiksvall Church.

The building work started 1643. The work went on slowly, but in 1672 the church was so complete that it was inaugurated. The tower area was by this time built only in the flush of the church roof, why the bells hang in a separate bell tower east of the sanctuary.

1691 the church was struck by lightning and fire got lose. The bells were injured, grave rocks inside the church were crushed and most of the interior was destroyed. In 1703 the tower was so finished and that the bells could be moved from the old bell tower. The tower was entirety completed in 1710.

The altar is made of wood, decorated with a gold crucifix and surrounded by the two urns with blazing flames.The chancel window forms an integrated part of the altar.

Over the stairs to the pulpit hangs "the Russian cannon ball" from the night in 1721 when a Russian navy unit attacked and burned Hudiksvall. The cannon ball is said to have been fired from a Russian galley against the town.

Not more than the church remained after the Russian devastation. The rest of the town was  destroyed. But the church was of course an empty shell, deprived of its silver, its valuable robes and other valuable things.

Hudiksvall belongs to the Diocese of Uppsala, the County of Gävleborg and the Province of Hälsningland. Photo: Lars Henriksson, 27th of January, 2008.

Order the photo above in full size (2489 x 1904 pixels)

The photo above in full size (2489 x 1904 pixels) is sold as a JPG-file for € 5 or $ 5. Mail me at henriksson@avrosys.nu  Ref. no. 100686.

Order the photo below in full size (1831 x 2080 pixels)

The photo below full size (1831 x 2080 pixels) is also sold as a JPG-file for € 5 or $ 5. Mail me at henriksson@avrosys.nu  Ref. no. 100688.