Grip

Fourteen kilometer NW of Kristiansund there is a group of islands, some 80 islets and skerries, scattered in the open sea. They are beautiful and tranquil on a summer evening when the western sun glitters on the sea and young coalfish play on the surface. But the scene changes when the storms lash the sea into turmoil and the waves break high over the rocks.

The fishing village of Grip is on the largest island, and a few hundred meters further north is Bratthåeskollen with Grip lighthous, a well-known and welcome sight for the thousands of ships which every year pass through these whaters. Grip lighthous was built in 1888 and is 47 meters high.

Grip has a long and stirring history from far back and the origin of its name is unknown. But we are certain that it was the abundance of fish in the sea surrounding these islands that enticed the first inhibitants to Grip. No other incentive could possibly have induced human beings to settle there. In the days of rowing boats you had to take into consideration the accessibility of the fishing banks, and what could have been more suitable than Grip, with the fish literally on its door step, not to mention as a quick retreat when a storm arose. They must have been tenacious people to endure the hardships in the old days. Many a back was bent in the struggle with the stormy sea, and many a woman no doubt clung to the wall of her house in stormy wheather while watching for her husand or sons to bring back the daily catch. They did not always come back.

Until 1728 Grip belonged to the Crown, but that year it was sold to merchants in Kristiansund, and from then on the fate of Grip became more changeable. The merchants who owned Grip were naturally mainly interested in there own gains. The Grip fishermen had to sell there fish at a price decided by the owners. Furthermore, the merchants bought up several properties on the island, which the inhabitants then had to rent.

The worst decline in the history of Grip was during the period between 1780 and 1820. Hans Grøn Bull, a parson, wrote in 1818, "Never in the history of Grip has the population been so small. There are only 12 fishermen, some of whom are pilots, and a few widows. Most of them are poverty stricken." The parson thought that this decline in the population, which previously had been 400, was caused by several years of unsuccessful cod fishing as well as serious storm catastrophes.

In the annals of the church two serious storm catastrophes are recorded. They left the island nearly desolate. One the night of 28 November 1796, during a powerful nothwest storm, nearly 100 large and small houses were washed into the sea by the huge waves, and three people were drowned. Seven years later, on 24 February 1804, the sea was again in turmoil, and caused a lot of damage to houses and boats. This was recorded in the church annals with these words, "Almighty God, spare us further destruction and misery".

Through the following years Grip was sold and bought by various merchants in Kristiansund. The last owner was Ludvig Williamsen, who in 1909 resold the island to its 200 inhabitans.

The ancient little red stave church, centrally situated on Grip, is a reminder of bygone days and generations. When its portal is opened wide, it is with humbleness you enter the small but unique church, which has survived through good and evil times. It played a central part in the lives of the inhabitants both ecclesiastically and as a refuge from storms. the church has withstood steadfastly all tempests and tidal waves throughout the centuries, as if protected by an unseen hand.

An inscription on one of the beams states that the present church was built in 1621, but investigations made during later restorations have alterd this opinion. Similar stave churches on the islands of Brattvær and Odden were built between 1470 and 1500, and it is surmised the church on Grip was also built in that period. It was built by the inhabitants and has through the years solely been their property, greatly appreciated and always kept in good order, whether the times were good or bad.