Fredsberg Kyrka, Interior, Churchyard, near Toreboda, Sweden

Fred's Church 
The result of translating "Fredsberg" Kyrka from the Swedish.
Go, Fred.

It has a 1498 bell, we think.

Fredsberg Kyrka

Fredsberg Kyrka, Fredsberg Parish, Sweden

This parish originated in medieval times, with early Christian missionaries; and has undergone building and rebuilding so that now the building only incorporates older elements in a 1702 parish building, remodeled in the 19th Century.  There is the plaque commemorating King Carl XIII. See http://www.kongehuset.no/c28580/artikkel/vis.html?tid=28686.  King Carl was crowned in 1809, the plaque notes the present building as completed in 1702.  See the medieval parts incorporated in it.  There were other church structures on the site.

Fredsberg Church, commemorative King Carl XIII, Sweden, crowned 1809

King Carl died without an heir, so Sweden offered the throne to one of Napoleon's marshals, Bernadotte.  Bernadotte took the name of Carl Johan.  More Swedish sounding.  He was effective, and succeeded in compelling Denmark to cede Norway to Sweden.  Nice. He invaded Norway in 1814 to seal the deal.

Stone with missing medallion center, Fredsberg Kyrka, Sweden

Looking to find an explanation for the circular center.

Old grave markers, Fredsberg, Sweden

It looks like three people are shown. 

There is no preservation of old markers at these old churches.  In the weather. Is there some registry for symbols, research. This church is at the beginning of any Christian missionaries coming north -- the symbols look Celtic, or the Norse equivalent.  What of the old religions prevailed?

Round medallion? Meaning?  on old grave marker, Fredsberg Church, SE

What is the story behind the missing medallion in the large upright standing stone? We have seen several wreath-like, illegible signs, circles. There is no rack of information brochures when you arrive.  Perhaps a caretaker with a rake, smoothing away footprints with long strokes on the gravel walkways. Courteous, but no signs, no way to decipher the oldest things clearly underfoot. 

Churchyard, Fredberg Church, near Toreboda, Sweden

Graves. 

What is still there, under the grass covering all? Most lost.  All that grass is not empty space, but lost gravesites. The old idea: the buried feed the living trees.

But see the similarities in names as you walk, to appreciate how difficult the tracking can be.  Here in particular, find many given names and surnames at genealogybug.net/ALGustafsonAncestry.  That is a coastal area north of Goteborg, but see more Anna Mathilda there as well, and Johannesdotter, as in Ostergotland. 

Window view, Fredsberg Kyrka SE

It is still an active parish, see Svenskakyrkan.se

Center aisle, Fredsberg Kyrka, Sweden

Swedish style:  light, bright, plain, clear colors; until you see the pulpit and selected other eye-catching and attention-keeping edifices. Wonderful.  See the angel looking right out the window, from the side of the pulpit.  The number of women saints:  also noteworthy.   

Carved, painted pulpit, Fredsberg Church, Sweden

Medieval marker, Tree of the LivesLife pattern, preserved at Fredsberg Kyrka, Sweden

This church has been on a special site for a thousand years. Find the old symbolism, Yggdrasil, Tree of the Lives, World Tree. Intertwined designs on the oldest markers, look Celtic. Is there a connection? For an Everyman's simple start on an answer, see Yahoo Answers

Simple lines, clear colors, Fredsberg Kyrka, SE

Selected displays of color, carving, Fredsberg Kyrka, Sweden

Angel not paying attention pulpit, Fredsberg Kyrka, Sweden

Floor level burial marker, first set, Fredsberg Kyrka, Sweden

The man wears a cape here, and is not praying.  Who is this?

Pew for King Carl XIII?  Fredsberg Kyrka, Sweden 

Not sure. But our Carl Jon likes to think he is related to Carl Johan.

Burials, second set, interior; Fredsberg Kyrka SE

The man wears no cape here, but he is praying. So is the lady. Who are these? 

Inscription (legible?) Fredsberg Church, Sweden

Look at their feet to try to find out what is going on.  I can't read it.  Contact us and I'll blow it up and see if you figure it out.  She has one foot playing footsie with his, or tempting it;  and the other is facing forward to us.  Foreshortening, or hesitation as to the gent?