Life at the Rectory
Before Smøla became a parish in 1749, a curate lived on western Smøla. He served as pastor at Odden, Brattvær and Veiholmen, while the parish of Edøy was under the authority of the parish pastor in Aure.
In 1879, the pastor and teacher Ole Olsen Moe arrived on the islands of Smøla. He set about building a new rectory and also worked to improve the school system on the island. During Ole Olsen Moe’s time on Smøla, seven new schools and two churches were built, in addition to the new rectory, which stands today as it was originally constructed.
For many years it was claimed that the industrialist Christian Thams from Orkdal was the architect and builder of the rectory. However, information discovered in an old archive from the parish office sheds light on the actual construction. A building contract dated 24 May 1880 was found, stating:
“The undersigned, Johannes Forbragd, hereby undertakes to erect a stone-founded, one-and-a-half-storey timber building, 27 alen (half ells) in length, 17 alen (half ells) in width and 7 alen (half ells) in height from floor to the beginning of the roof, at Rostvold rectory, under the following conditions: the building shall be erected at a location indicated by the parish pastor Moe, according to drawings prepared by agricultural engineer Tandberg, with agreed amendments endorsed by architect Nordan.”
The contract provides a detailed description of how the rectory was to be built. Only materials of the highest quality were to be used; all external doors and windows were to be made of heartwood pine, and all living rooms were to have double-glazed windows with ventilation openings. The result was a modern rectory of a high standard by the requirements of its time.
The rectory at Rosvoll served as the residence of the parish pastors until 1972, when a new residence was completed near Edøy Church. The property is owned by Smøla Municipality and is operated by Smøla museum in cooperation with the Friends of Rosvoll Rectory Association (Rosvoll prestegårds venneforening) and the Rosvoll Local Community Association (Rosvoll grendalag).
Permanent Exhibitions at Rosvoll prestegård:
Made in Smøla – the history of the canning industry
Natural History Exhibition featuring taxidermied birds and animals from the shoreline area
Gullik Dahlstedt’s photographic exhibition from the fishing communities of Grip, Veiholmen, Brattvær, Hallarøya, Odden and Ringsøya.
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The rectory seen from the entry road
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Winter at Rosvoll rectory. - 2/8
Freshly baked bread strait from the rectory’s bread oven. - 3/8
The Coastal Pilgrim Route at Rosvoll. - 4/8
View across the Rosvoll garden gate. - 5/8
Freshly baked goods at Rosvoll rectory. Silje Gulstad - 6/8
The lean‑to shelter on Rossvollhaugen with sea views. Silje Gulstad - 7/8
Rosvoll hosts the Coastal Pilgrim Route. Silje Gulstad - 8/8
The idyllic rectory at Rosvoll
