STAVE CHURCH

in architecture, type of wooden church built in Norway in the Middle Ages. While the earliest stave churches date from the beginning of the 11th century, when Christianity had begun to spread throughout Norway, most of the 500 to 600 churches eventually constructed date from the 12th century. As the congregations became too large, these extraordinary stave churches had to be replaced by quite ordinary Romanesque edifices. The stone foundation of the stave church supports four horizontal wooden beams, from which rise four corner posts, or staves. The posts are joined together by four upper crossbeams. Thus, the basic boxlike frame of the church is formed. From this framework, timbers extend outward, supporting a series of uprights, or masts. (Indeed, these churches are sometimes called mast churches.) In this way, open aisles are created on all sides of the nave, or central area. The sanctuary itself is a small shed projecting from one end of the nave. Outer walls are formed of upright planks. There may be four or more ranks of masts, with an equal number of triangular frames rising above them, gradually diminishing in size. The church at Borgund, built about 1150, is one of about 24 extant examples. Its six levels of double-sloped roof, shell-like exterior shingles, and elaborate carvings of dragons and other legendary motifs give this typical stave church its remarkably picturesque and vigorous appearance. The largest extant stave church was built at Heddal in 1250.