{{Infobox church | name = Ala Church | native_name = Ala kyrka | native_name_lang = Swedish | image = Ala kyrka view02.jpg | caption = Ala Church, view of the exterior | pushpin_map = Sweden Gotland | pushpin_mapsize = 150px | map_caption = Location on Gotland | coordinates = {{coord|57.4190|18.6352|format=dms|type:landmark_region:SE|display=inline,title}} | country = Sweden | denomination = Church of Sweden | previous_denomination = Catholic }} '''Ala Church''' ({{langx|sv|Ala kyrka}}) is a medieval church in Ala on the Swedish island of Gotland. Its oldest parts date from the 12th century. Damaged by fire in the 1930s, it still contains medieval murals and its original baptismal font. The church belongs to the Church of Sweden and lies within the Diocese of Visby.
== History and architecture == thumb|left|Interior view towards the choir The oldest part of the aisleless church is the nave, erected during the 12th century. The choir was added during the middle of the 13th century, and replaced an earlier considerably smaller choir and apse.<ref name=Soderberg>{{cite book|last1=Söderberg|first1=Bengt G.|title=Kyrkorna på Gotland: The churches of Gotland|date=1978|publisher=Gotlandskonst|location=Visby|language= sv|url=http://libris.kb.se/bib/179718|access-date=11 June 2014}}</ref> The presently visible church lacks an apse, typically for churches on Gotland, and instead has a straight eastern wall. The tower is slightly older than the choir. The southern portals of the church exhibit some unusual stone sculptures.<ref name="gotkyrkor">{{cite book |editor1-last=Lagerlöf|editor1-first=Erland|last= Lagerlöf|first= Erland|title= Gotlands kyrkor|language=sv|year= 1973|publisher= Rabén & Sjögren|location= Uddevalla|isbn= 9129410355|pages=86–88}}</ref>
Inside, the church is decorated with medieval murals, consisting of two sets made separately at different times. The oldest date from the late 13th century and depict legendary animals and ornaments. The more recent date from the 15th century and depict a scene from the legend of Saint Martin, a large painting depicting the Passion of Christ made by the workshop of artist known as the Master of the Passion of Christ (''Passionsmästaren'') and other religious themes.<ref name="gotkyrkor" /><ref>{{cite web|url = http://renovatiomundi.blogspot.com/2018/07/passionsmastaren.html |title = Passionsmästaren |publisher = renovatiomundi.blogspot.com |author = Renovatio Mundi |date = 11 July 2018|access-date = January 1, 2019}}</ref>
The church was heavily damaged by fire in 1938, and most of the furnishings, including a 13th-century triumphal cross, were destroyed. The medieval baptismal font from the 13th century is made of durable local limestone and was among the few items that survived.<ref name=Anglar>{{cite book|last1=Sjöstrand|first1=Eva|last2=Jonson|first2=Christer|last3=Geijerstam|first3=Bengt af|title=Änglar & drakar: en gotländsk kulturskatt|date=2013|publisher=Gotlands museum|language=sv|location=Visby|isbn=978-91-88036-88-9|url=http://libris.kb.se/bib/14853117|access-date=11 June 2014}}</ref> In 1938–1940, restoration work was carried out, and the church got a new organ in 1955.<ref name="gotkyrkor" />
Ala Church belongs to the Church of Sweden. It lies within the Diocese of Visby.<ref name=forsamling>{{cite web |url= https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/visbystift/telefon-och-adresslista-till-alla-vara-forsamlingar-pa-gotland|title= Telefon och adresslista till alla våra 10 pastorat på Gotland|language=sv|author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher= Diocese of Visby (Church of Sweden)|access-date= 24 January 2020}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== Further reading == *{{cite book |last1=Roosval|first1=Johnny|last2= Lagerlöf|first2= Erland|date= 1959|title= Kyrkor i Kräklinge ting: nordvästra delen|chapter=Ala kyrka|series= Sveriges kyrkor, konsthistoriskt inventarium|language= sv|volume= 84|url= http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1244072/FULLTEXT01.pdf|location= Stockholm|publisher= Generalstabens Litografiska Anstalts Förlag|pages= 592–643|issn=0284-1894}}
== External links == *{{Commons category-inline}}
{{Churches on Gotland}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Churches in Gotland County Category:Churches in the Diocese of Visby Category:Gothic architecture in Sweden Category:Church frescos in Sweden Category:Churches converted from the Roman Catholic Church to the Church of Sweden