Skedsmokorset: Church, Farm History and Settlement Traces

Skedsmokorset can be explored through two distinct historical highlights: Skedsmo Church, with its Romanesque architecture and furnishings, and the Skedsmo Local History Museum, which presents the history of the Huseby farm and archaeological traces of settlement. You can plan your visits according to whether you are most interested in church architecture, craftsmanship or the area’s long history of settlement.

Romanesque architecture and historic furnishings

Skedsmo Church was completed around 1180 as a Romanesque long church and was dedicated to Saint Olav from the outset. Its surviving exterior walls are about 130 to 140 centimetres thick. Its architectural form, approximate date and substantial wall thickness give the church a distinctive architectural profile.

The furnishings also reflect several different periods. The pulpit dates from 1578, is considered one of the oldest in Norway, and was created by Knud and Rasmus Hansen in the High Renaissance style. The altarpiece was made in 1693 at the woodcarving workshop of Christopher Henrichssøn Ridder from birch and pine. The same workshop also created the altarpiece in Oslo Cathedral. The more than century-long gap between the pulpit and the altarpiece, together with the connection to the Oslo workshop, offers two different points of reference for understanding the furnishings.

Huseby: farm history and early settlement

The Skedsmo Local History Museum presents the history of the Huseby farm, from a wealthy rectory to a poor farm. The area also has a long settlement history: archaeological excavations at Huseby uncovered traces of human settlement dating back 4,000 years; at the same time, there has been continuous settlement there for at least 2,000 years. These two figures describe different aspects of the timeline: the traces found reach further back than the documented period of continuous settlement.

At the Nebben sawmill manager’s house, visitors can step inside the home of the sawmill manager’s family from Strømmen. Access may depend on the museum’s seasonal opening arrangements. The other museum buildings host changing exhibitions about the history of Skedsmo. Alongside the farm’s development, these exhibitions also explore other historical themes from the area.

Historic paths and surroundings

The “Turstier på Skedsmokorset” project was jointly led by Skedsmo Kulturforum, among others, together with Skedsmo Historielag and Huseby Gårds venner. It ran from 2023 to 2025 and received support from the Lillestrøm Municipality Volunteer Fund. As part of the project, hiking trails in Skedsmokorset were developed, marked and presented with historical and cultural-history content. If you would like to include one of these trails in your plans, check the current condition of the route in advance.

Another distinctive feature in the surrounding area is located in Berger, northeast of the built-up area of Skedsmokorset: Norway’s only geopark is situated there. If this designation is important for your travel plans, check it again before your trip.

Practical visit planning

Guided tours of Skedsmo Church may be available by prior arrangement. If a guided tour would suit your visit, book it in advance and confirm the current arrangements. This is a different kind of visit from a museum visit and should be planned accordingly.

The café at the Skedsmo Local History Museum serves waffles, coffee, tea and juice during museum opening hours. As café details may change, check what is currently available before your visit. The changing exhibitions and possible access to the Nebben house also make it a good idea to plan the museum as a separate activity, rather than assuming that particular content or arrangements will be available.

Discover more destinations: Leirsund, Skjetten, Lillestrøm.

Return to the main travel overview: Skedsmo.