Järstad church

Church

In the small village of Järstad outside Skänninge, you will find Östergötland's only medieval parish church built of brick. A material that is common in the Gothic town churches, such as Vårfrukyrkan in Skänninge.

The church's original plan form is not entirely clear. It was likely built during the 13th century with a rectangular nave and narrower choir. Later during the Middle Ages, a porch was added to the south and a sacristy to the north. At some point, the nave was extended to the west. The western gable has decoratively designed blind arches in brick and there has been much speculation about whether the extension was built in the Middle Ages or if it dates from the late 17th century.

The altar piece depicts the crucifixion with Mary and John. It originally formed part of an epitaph, a memorial tablet, for the judge Olof Jönsson and Ingrid Pehrsdotter in Ullevi. By the triumphal arch stands the baptismal font, which dates from the 13th century. The pulpit was made in 1763 by carpenter Maximilian Blomberg in Harsad. Outside the church, on the eastern side of the porch, there is a runestone with the inscription Orökja(?) erected this stone for her sister Amma.

Järstad church is located a short distance from road 206 between Skänninge and Mantorp.