Washington Island Stavkirke

The Washington Island Stavkirke, built in connection with Trinity Lutheran Church, is one of the most remarkable and peaceful landmarks on the island. Tucked away among tall evergreens, this hand-crafted Norwegian-style stave church feels like stepping back in time. The attention to detail is extraordinary — from the carefully joined timbers to the steep rooflines and intricate carvings that reflect centuries of Scandinavian craftsmanship and faith. The surrounding grounds, lovingly maintained by Trinity Lutheran, are beautifully landscaped and serene. A quiet wooded path leads to the church, offering a sense of calm and reverence even before you reach it. Once there, the scent of fresh wood, the filtered light, and the stillness create an atmosphere that invites reflection and gratitude. Whether you’re drawn by history, architecture, or faith, the Stavkirke is a true gem of Washington Island. It’s a place that connects heritage and devotion in a meaningful, unforgettable way — a timeless expression of artistry and spirit nestled in the heart of Door County.

Worth the stop if you’re going to the island. Might be worth going to the island in the first place if you were thinking about it. While a small structure, it is breath taking in person. The darkness of the wood exterior and amazing hand carved interior are truly something to behold.

Its such a cool place to walk around the prayer path and see this church. It looks super old and intimidating on the outside but super welcoming and cozy inside. I went to see this church twice in my trip!

The most beautiful and peaceful place we have found. It is so well kept and we enjoyed all of the details and craftsmanship. There is a cute little path in nature. The photos do not do this place justice. It has a very calming presence.

When visiting Washington Island, this is a centuries-old church worth a stop. It is not a long walk; easy-ish for seniors, 80+. The photos I’ve taken recently are similar to existing offerings. I’ll just add to the group. Just immerse yourself in the architecture from the 1800s. Outstanding to stand where our ancestors have stood. No tickets are necessary. It is free to visitors.

This place was one of our stops on our Cherry Train Tour we went on to visit Washington Island. An interesting fact about this place is that there was no nails used in the construction of this church. Amazing capentry and details inside and out.

Beautiful old church with amazing history. There is also a prayer trail in the woods.

This is a must-see on Washington Island! It is such a beautiful and unique church to experience. It is fully made of wood and has many different details. There are multiple chairs inside. It can also be rented out for wedding ceremonies I heard. It was free to visit.

Visiting the historic Norwegian church (church of Staves) on Washington Island is a quick but worthwhile stop. It's only a 2-3 minute drive from the lavender field, and we noticed many visitors doing both back-to-back. There's free parking nearby, and it's just a short walk to the wooden church. The interior is simple and charming, and if you take your time, the visit won't take more than a few minutes. They also hold services on certain days, which would be a unique experience to witness. A nice, quick stop while exploring the island.

Such a wonderfully preserved park and church to see when you are up north on Washington Island. Highly reccomend walking around and touring the space if you get the chance. Wonderful history there!

Very cool old Viking church. Recommended to visit by island adventure company! We only went inside church and around it for photos. So cool. We signed guest book. They have weekly sermons here still. Lots of history in the place. It's worth checking out while in area!

I was shocked to find that no fellow Yelpers out there have added the Stavkirke on Washington Island to the database, so I get to be that groundbreaking cool guy that forges ahead new territory. This place is most definitely worth a visit as it is both highly unique and makes for wonderful photographs. The structure is under fairly dense tree cover and is not super noticeable from the road. If you are driving down Town Line Road heading East, you will see a rather large and relatively modern looking Lutheran Church on your right and parking for Stavkirke is located directly across the street. From there, there are a couple of prayer paths through the woods which lead to the structure itself. The path to get to the church is not long. Maybe a 1/4 of a mile at the most. The Cherry Train tour which leaves out of Detroit harbor also makes a stop at this place, but I find it is better to take in going solo as it is peaceful and tranquil. I am no architecture or culture wizard, far from it, but the pictures I have attached of this structure likely say far more than I ever could about how cool it is. It's roots and inspiration, like most everything else on Washington Island, pays homage to Scandinavian culture.The people of the Island use it as a functional church during the warmer months, and it is also a quite popular spot for wedding ceremonies. There is a receptacle inside the church which contains additional info about the history of similar wooden churches in Nordic culture.

This building is super interesting to see. Not as large as you might think but still amazing architecturally. Also a nice walking/contemplation path in the woods beside it. Definitely a must see.

Wow! What amazing craftsmanship! The architecture of this building is quite interesting to look at! The outside of this building resembles a Viking ship. The surrounding area is quite peaceful. I recommend taking a stop by if you are on Washington Island.

A bit hard to find; but well worth it. This church/temple is a structure of spirituality and power. It is, most definitely, a beautiful building that was lovingly built by true craftsmen. As a long time carpenter, I was amazed at the skill and materials that were necessary in building this landmark. A most photogenic place on an island that makes you glad you have a digital camera, as you will find yourself wanting to take multiple pictures from all angles inside and out. No bathrooms or other amenities, just an awesome (I don't use that word lightly) place with a high wow factor. You can let your imagination run and visualize Odin marrying Frigga here. There is also a nice birding trail that takes you into the surrounding woods. If you find yourself on Washington Island make sure you visit this astonishing place. There is no fee to go there.