37 churches receive 39 million for maintenance – news Vestland

– Securing and restoring our old churches for future generations is an important national task. Church buildings are among the foremost cultural monuments we have in this country, and the churches play an important role in many people’s lives, says Minister of Religious Affairs and Philosophy Kjersti Toppe (Sp). 3 million for Moster news reported last year that Norwegian churches have a maintenance need of NOK 10 billion. For several churches, the situation is so serious that they may have to close their doors. At Bømlo, an ancient tradition has been brought up to save a badly renovated Moster church. Of the NOK 39 million that is now distributed among Norwegian churches, Moster Church receives NOK 3 million alone. The money will be used to prepare the church for next year’s 1,000th anniversary of the introduction of Christian law at Moster. – We are happy about the work that is now being done, exults Nina Olsen, day-to-day manager at Moster Amfi. 37 out of 117 got yes Riksantikvar Hanne Geiran is happy that Norwegian churches are staying the same. Photo: TROND ISAKSEN / National Antiquities The funds which are now allocated to culturally important churches were announced earlier this year by the National Antiquities on behalf of the Ministry of Children and Families. It is also the National Archives that has processed the applications for the subsidy scheme. In this year’s call for proposals, owners of medieval stone churches have had the opportunity to apply for grants for renovation, fire protection and pre-project masonry. Owners of listed churches from 1851 to 1900, and all listed churches from and including 1851 in Troms and Finnmark, have had the opportunity to apply for grants for restoration. Of 117 applications, 37 were approved. – Taking good care of roofs and walls is one of the most important things we can do for our valuable churches, says national antiquarian Hanna Geiran. New conservation strategy – Subsidy for restoration is a good contribution to repair root damage in wooden churches, and to prevent decay of the walls in stone churches. This is central to securing the churches against climate change. During 2023, a conservation strategy with a conservation program for culturally and historically valuable church buildings will also be drawn up. The National Archives in collaboration with The Church of Norway has been commissioned to make recommendations in this work



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