Which term corresponds to a Scandinavian wooden church built with vertical planks?

Which term corresponds to a Scandinavian wooden church built with vertical planks?

• A. Steve Church
• B. Stave Church
• C. Log Church
• D. Timber Church

Answer: (A)

Stave church is the term used for a Scandinavian wooden church built with vertical planks. The walls are formed by upright boards, or staves, that are set into a timber frame and joined with traditional joinery, giving a visibly segmented exterior and strong vertical rhythm. This construction is distinctive of medieval Scandinavia, especially Norway, and explains the architectural identity of these churches—long after their wooden skeletons, they often feature carved posts and a layered roof profile that mitigate heavy timber loads. The other descriptors miss the mark: a term built around horizontal log construction describes a different method altogether, while a generic “timber” designation isn’t specific enough to capture the vertical stave technique. A non-existent term isn’t used in architectural history.

Stave church is the term used for a Scandinavian wooden church built with vertical planks. The walls are formed by upright boards, or staves, that are set into a timber frame and joined with traditional joinery, giving a visibly segmented exterior and strong vertical rhythm. This construction is distinctive of medieval Scandinavia, especially Norway, and explains the architectural identity of these churches—long after their wooden skeletons, they often feature carved posts and a layered roof profile that mitigate heavy timber loads.

The other descriptors miss the mark: a term built around horizontal log construction describes a different method altogether, while a generic “timber” designation isn’t specific enough to capture the vertical stave technique. A non-existent term isn’t used in architectural history.