Nykirke Church

Nykirke is a stone church built during medieval period. It was dedicated to St. Nikolas. The function of the church was to support Borre Parish Church, and as the name suggests it was not to be confused with the main church devoted to the same saint.

It is an aisleless church with a rectangular nave and a narrow and shallow choir. A tower was added to the naves western side in 1848, and in 1880, a sacristy at the eastern end of the choir was added.

The church belonged to the earl of Jarlsberg from 1673 up until 1776. Then 25 men from the congregation bought the church, even though the church only became the property of the congregation in 1877.

Through the years the church interior has gone through several changes. In 1880 the choir’s southern portal was shut off whilst the choir opening was expanded. In addition to this a gallery was built spanning two stories with an entrance via a staircase from the armory. This was changed again in the restoration of 1952-53 when one level of the gallery was removed.

Most of the inventory of the church stems from 1880-90, such as the pulpit and the altarpiece. The pews on the other hand are from 1953. Older inventory such as the two church bells dates to 1777, an oval memorial piece with Christian 5’ths monogram from the refurbishment of 1668 and a painting of the crucifixion painted in 1735 is also to be found in the church.