Hemmesjö Old Church

The old church of Hemmesjö is located in the municipality of Växjö and belongs to the municipality of Hemmesjö-Furuby. The church is one of the least unchanged medieval churches in the Diocese of Växjö and one of the oldest in the country.

The Romanesque church was built during the second half of the 12th century but was abandoned when Hemmesjö's new church was completed in 1854. It was dilapidated at the beginning of the 20th century, but restoration began in 1921 and then put back into operation.

Since so few changes have taken place, the church with the cemetery gives a good picture of a Swedish medieval parish church.

The church is made of gray stone and plastered and consists of a nave with cows and an apse to the east. To the north of the choir is an enlarged sacristy. There used to be a wooden armory in front of the southern entrance. In the west wall traces of a walled opening can be seen, which was probably intended for a tower that was never built.

The church interior has well-preserved cross vaults from the 15th century. The apse and the triumphal arch contain remains of Romanesque frescoes. In the northern part of the nave there is a brick side altar. With the exception of the windows on the south side, which were enlarged in the 18th century, the medieval church interior has remained unchanged.

The current bell tower was built in 1953.

Source: sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemmesj%C3%B6_gamla_kyrka