Frösthult

FRÖSTHULT CHURCH:

Friday, July 30th. I note on the map which Bengt Alfredsson gave us that the place which we think was Erika Mathilda's birth home is within walking distance from the church in Frösthult.

Lotta Flygare, a young Priest Assistant, was very gracious in giving us access to the church. We were able to explore at will and Rick Slade even climbed to the top of the tower. Maybe he found a place to stretch out for a nap up there. Lotta told a bit of the history of the church, although she had only been assigned there for a short time, and didn't know a lot of the history.

It is interesting to note from a booklet about Frösthult Church that it was built in an area where Vikings abounded, with Iron Age graves and Runstens in the vicinity. The word Frösthult suggests that this was an area dedicated to the goddess Frie (Frö) and the area is called Frö's parish (Frösthult).

We didn't have a lot of time to spend at the church. I was not able to find any grave markers related to Grandmother's family (her father Erik who died in 1888 or brother August Alexander who died in 1882). Perhaps the grave markers have been pulled as is happening in church yards throughout Sweden where there is no family to maintain the grave site.

Michael Slade took several photographs of Björkebo and Frösthult church which he plans to make available in a book covering the entire trip which can be obtained online when it is published. He took photographs throughout the trip and came home with 36 rolls of film which he shot as well as negatives which he shot with his field camera. I will give the information as to how to obtain the book when it is available. I took only one photograph on the trip as I knew others were using cameras right and left. Vern Marble was probably second only to Michael in shutter clicking.  Bonnie didn't get any photos of Frösthult.

Painting showing original building and bell tower

Frösthult church

Inside Frösthult church

GYLLENE BRUNNEN (Golden Well):

Leaving Frösthult church we were directed to Brunnby, about 15 minutes drive, and the Gyllene Brunnen, a conference center and cafe where we had a delicious lunch prepared by Karl-Erik and Inge Ekblom.

As we walked into the dining hall we noticed a BYU pennant on the wall. What a surprise to find that Karl-Erik is related to the Harline family, that's right, the family of Johnny Harline, BYU football star. The Härlin family were from Härvesta, just a few kilometers from Skensta. They joined the LDS church and moved to Utah, changing their name to Harline. There is also a famous composer in the family, Leigh Harline who wrote "When You Wish Upon A Star." As wee were leaving, we met Harline relatives, who were visiting from Utah.

Rick and BYU pennant @ Golden Well - Johnny Harline relatives live here

Lunch at Golden Well