Tanum Church (Bærum)

Tanum Church
Tanum kirke
Tanum Church Location of the church Show map of Akershus Tanum Church Location of the church Show map of Norway
59°53′44.84″N 10°28′44.57″E / 59.8957889°N 10.4790472°E / 59.8957889; 10.4790472Coordinates: 59°53′44.84″N 10°28′44.57″E / 59.8957889°N 10.4790472°E / 59.8957889; 10.4790472
Location	Tanum, Bærum
Country	Norway
Denomination	Church of Norway
Churchmanship	Evangelical Lutheran
Website	tanum-menighet.no
History
Former name(s)	St. Mary's Church
Dedication	Saint Mary the Virgin
Architecture
Status	Parish church
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Unknown
Architectural type	Romanesque
Specifications
Capacity	250 seats
Materials	Stone
Administration
Parish	Tanum
Deanery	Bærum
Diocese	Diocese of Oslo

Tanum Church is a church, constructed of stone in a rectangular form in Bærum, Akershus in Norway.

The church from the early 12th century is one of two medieval churches in Bærum. It is a Romanesque church that sometimes is referred to as built in Anglo-Saxon style. The church is dated to the first half of the 12th century and was dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin. In the early 18th century, the church was expanded eight meters to the west. On the north side of the choir, a sacristy with burial chamber below was built in 1674. However, this soon became too small, and in 1713 a larger burial chapel was built, next to the sacristy. In the early 20th century, the church was restored.

The church and surrounding burial site is considered as an important cultural heritage by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage and protected by law.

Tanum church has retained its rich inventory and has been a popular motive for many visual artists, among them Harriet Backer.

A crucifix and a woman figure, probably showing Virgin Mary and two portals to the south from the Middle Ages are preserved.

The Renaissance altarpiece is from 1663, where the main picture shows Jesus on the cross flanked by Saint Mary and Saint John the Apostle (which is also a motive in some of the murals). The baptismal font was performed by Svend Svanneberg in 1724. The pulpit, which is round, is probably also performed by Svend Svanneberg. There are also exposed murals on the walls. In the church there is a small church organ with 8 voices.