HERITAGE HJEMKOMST INTERPRETIVE CENTER

Home Current Exhibit Admission Educator Info Press Releases Heritage Shop Membership Corporate Members Directions Contact Links Hours Mon-Sat 9 AM - 5 PM Tues 9 AM - 8 PM Sun 12 PM - 5 PM Telephone: 218-299-5511 Room Rental: 218-299-5515	Hopperstad Stave Church Replica Norwegian Stave churches were built just after the close of the Viking Age in Scandinavia in the 1100 and 1200’s. The technique of using vertical posts-or staves- had been modified over time to become wooden architectural works of art. The church in Moorhead is a full-scale replica of the Hopperstad Church located in the town of Vik, Norway. The replica church is a quintessential labor of love. Guy Paulson began carving for the church in January of 1997. "I have been carving for about 25 years, so a challenging project like this intrigued me," Paulson says, "It's something that honors my family's Christian heritage.” It was dedicated in 1998 as a gift to the Center and the city of Moorhead from the Paulson family. The carvings for the church began in January 1997, and on-site construction of the church started in August 1997. All carvings were done by Guy Paulson. The church is constructed of cedar, redwood, and pine. Trivia		Building a Dream: the Moorhead Stave Church Video Chronicle of Church Construction YHR Partners
	Height	Full scale replica – 72 ft
		Staves	Eighteen 27 ft pine columns support the church
		Wood	Pine, redwood exterior ornamentation & 24,000 cedar shingles
	Apse	Conical structure rising 30 ft capped with a small cross
	Portal	Carved area around the front door
	Altar	Modeled after the altar currently in the Hopperstad Stave Church in Vik, Norway
	Weather Vane	Copper rooster constructed by artist Dr. Dean Bowman
	Carvings	Reflect Viking Age motifs and Christian
	Ambulatory	Covered walkway protects body of church and allowed lepers to participate in communion
	Gateway	Roofed structure marks entrance to church grounds
	The Celtic Cross The original Celtic Cross was erected before 1000 AD in the Loen churchyard, Norway. The replica, given by Rev. Arial Molldrem and Myrtle Sellie Molldrem, symbolizes the transition between Viking Age and Christian Scandinavia. The circle in the center and the half circles where the arms of the cross intersect are symbolic of the five wounds Christ endured.