Andreas Nilsen Grenstad (1821-1895) was a Norwegian

architect An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

who was best known for the churches that he designed. His nickname was ''Anders Kirkebygger'' (Andreas the church-builder). Grenstad was born on the Grendstad farm in what was

Klæbu Municipality Klæbu is a List of former municipalities of Norway, former municipality in Trøndelag Counties of Norway, county, Norway. It existed from 1838 until its dissolution in 2020 when it was incorporated into the neighboring Trondheim Municipality. It ...

in Søndre Trøndhjems county in 1821. As an adult, he lived mostly in and around

Mosjøen (Norwegian language, Norwegian; ) or is a List of towns and cities in Norway, town in Vefsn Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. Mosjøen is the oldest town in the Helgeland region, with only the Bodø (town), town of Bodø being older with ...

Vefsn Municipality Vefsn () is a List of municipalities of Norway, municipality in Nordland Counties of Norway, county, Norway. It is part of the Helgeland Districts of Norway, traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the List of towns a ...

. During the second half of the 19th century, Grenstad established himself as an architect and builder. His sons helped him with his business as well. The family had a sawmill as well as a boat building side business. They would often use the boats they built to go fishing in the

Lofoten Lofoten ( , ; ; ) is an archipelago and a Districts of Norway, traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway. Lofoten has distinctive scenery with dramatic mountains and peaks, open sea and sheltered bays, beaches, and untouched lands. T ...

area. In 1860, he was one of the founders of a bank in Mosjøen. For a time around 1865, Grenstad was also a local politician who fought for farmers' rights. In 1951 during the restoration work of

Valberg Church Valberg Church () is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Vestvågøy Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is located in the village of Valberg on the island of Vestvågøya. It is the church for the Valberg parish which is part of ...

, a letter was found under the floor that was written by Grenstad. It read: "This church is built by Andreas Grenstad from Vefsn, Mosjøen, in the year of 1888, when it also was finished. Two of his sons participated in the work. This is the 8th church built by me, in addition to 7 others I have contributed to. Fifteen churches in my time in total. Now I will be 67 years old later this month. Andreas Grenstad is born on the farm Grenstad in Klæbu."

Name

Spellings in 19th century Norway were not formalized and historical records can vary with spellings of his name. His last name may vary between Grenstad, Grendestad, Grendstad, or Grinstad. His first name varies as well with spellings of Andreas, Anders, or Nils (a short form of his

patronymic name A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based on the given name of one's father, grandfather (more specifically an avonymic), or an earlier male ancestor. It is the male equivalent of a matronymic. Patronymics are used, ...

Works

Grenstad is known to have designed nine churches in northern Norway: * Grane Church (1860) * Mo Church (1860) *

Korgen Church Korgen Church () is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Hemnes Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is located in the village of Korgen. It is the church for the Korgen parish which is part of the Indre Helgeland prosti (deanery) i ...

(1863) *

Vevelstad Church Vevelstad Church () is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Vevelstad Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is located in the village of Forvika. It is the main church for the Vevelstad parish which is part of the Sør-Helgeland pros ...

(1871) * Stamnæs Church (1881) * Drevja Church (1883) *

Rødøy Church Rødøy Church () is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Rødøy Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is located on the island of Rødøya. It is one of the churches in the Rødøy parish which is part of the Nord-Helgeland prosti ...

(1885) *

(1889) *

Nevernes Church Nevernes Church () is a parish church of the Church of Norway in Rana Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is located in the village of Nevernes. It is the church for the Nevernes parish which is part of the Indre Helgeland prosti (deaner ...

(1893)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Grenstad, Andreas 1821 births 1895 deaths 19th-century Norwegian architects People from Vefsn Norwegian ecclesiastical architects