The Vetlanda Area

Arvingetorp farm was once in the family

Of course, not all the relatives lived on the Vetlanda farm. We spent a couple of days exploring the countryside and visiting some of the churches they would have attended. The land in these pictures was at one time farmed by one or more branches of my family.

We drove through some beautiful countryside, occasionally on dirt roads. Although the farms aren’t very large, the land is mostly flat and looks fertile with fewer rocks than we saw in Norway. It is certainly easier to earn a living here than in the fjord lands of Norway where Linda’s ancestors lived.

We saw many of these hunting towers.

Some of the land has reverted to forest.

The farms here still look prosperous.

We also visited several lovely churches. The most interesting of these was in the village of Fagerhult. As we walked through the cemetery toward the front door, one of the gardeners walked over to greet us and let us into the church. We chatted for about 20 minutes before he returned to his gardening and we explored. He told us the church had been built to replace a smaller one around 1900. Today, church attendance is down and only a few people attend services. Nevertheless, the church has been restored and money is provided for its upkeep. The problem is one faced all over the country. Because Sweden has the lowest church attendance rate of any European country, the future of these small village churches is in question. We do hope that money will continue to be provided for preserve these beautiful old buildings.

The Fagerhult church

As we looked around the interior our guide pointed out the coat of arms paid for by one of the wealthy parishioners. As he showed us the beautifully carved altarpiece he wondered why they didn’t hire equally talented local artists who also needed the work. He was proud to say that the organ was of Swedish manufacture. We found it interesting that almost every church we visited had two organs. The main organ was always beautifully placed in the loft over the entrance. The second one, usually of a modern design, was usually placed at the side of the sanctuary opposite the pulpit. A few churches even had a third organ.

Most churches have an old font either lovingly carved or cast in bronze. A raised pulpit with a canopy is set to one side of the front of the altar. Altars are often ornately carved. Most churches have a grandfather-style clock. Some were distinguished by their flowing lines while others had a more traditional look. Many have a separate bell tower. Votive ships were rare in Sweden, particularly in the farming areas we visited.

These pictures are of the church in Bringetofta.

Often old beams were preserved and displayed.

The church at Eksjö.

The church at Kråksmåla.

St. George slaying the dragon is a common motif.

Some of the bell towers are open. I restrained myself from pulling the rope.

Baptismal fonts from the churches at Lanneskede and Nävelsjö. In prior days these were by the entrance because the unbaptized were forbidden to enter the church.

The church at Nydala.

The church at Vallsjö.

This beautiful church is at Nässjö.