Can cost over 60 million to repair the country’s largest wooden church

Mandal church.Photo: kirkesok.no

It could cost up to 60 million kroner to repair the extensive damage to the country’s largest wooden church in Mandal, according to a new calculations.

In a report that was published last year, it was estimated that it would cost 33 million kroner to repair the damage that has been previously detected inside the wooden church. Now the price tag has risen to between 50 and 60 million, according to NRK Sørlandet.

Last year it was revealed that wood in the middle of the wall of the church has begun to rot. Some wood has been replaced, but there is much more that remains.

– We also have huge challenges in the southeastern corner. There the rot starts from the bottom and moves upwards. Tests show that it continues up through the roof and into the tower, said churchwarden Øystein Ramstad who is responsible for Mandal and Holum churches.

The construction of the timber-walled structure has made it difficult to detect the extensive rot damage inside the church, which was the first monumental building that was erected in Norway in 1814. Maintenance of church buildings are a municipal responsibility.

 

Source: NTB scanpix Norway Today