Former Lutheran Mission Hall – Torggatan 5

A Quiet Piece of History

Surrounding the building is a decorative fence with gates opening to the street, and a small red-painted outbuilding, carefully restored in the mid-1990s with national heritage funding. Just next door stands Hjo’s present-day Mission Church. Together, the two buildings reflect the development of Sweden’s 19th-century popular movements and are considered culturally and historically significant.

The building is now a private residence – we kindly ask that you do not peer through the windows.

Facts about the Lutheran Mission Hall

The Mission Hall is a timber building with hand-planed cladding, built in 1862. One distinctive feature often seen on older Hjo buildings is the arched trim (bågfris) that finishes the vertical boarding above windows, wall bands (horizontal mouldings), or rooflines. Unlike a straight cut, this trim transitions into a panel with decorative arches.

In Hjo, these arches usually follow one of three styles: round arch, cyma arch, or trefoil arch.

Between the vertical board and the arch trim, you’ll often find a projecting detail – either a round capital or a flat panel. On this particular building, the bågfris is a trefoil arch design, with a flat plate serving as the transition element.

The Old Inn – Gästgivaregården

While standing here by the former Mission Hall, take a moment to look down Sjögatan. Where the street curves, you’ll see the old inn known as “Gästis”. In the early 1880s, it was run by innkeeper August Andersson. At the time, the building housed not only an inn, but also stables, a coach station, and a meeting hall for merchants and craftsmen.

It’s said that one of August’s successors was once taken to court for serving beer with veal chops – something he wasn’t licensed to do. He didn’t deny the accusation but insisted on correcting the details:

“It wasn’t veal chops – it was pork chops!”

This comical defence became a local saying still remembered today:
“See, it was pork chops, you see.”

Gästis remained a dining spot well into the 1990s. Today, like many historic buildings in Hjo, it is a private home.

Self-Guided Tour

Take a stroll and explore the historical architecture and craftsmanship of Hjo at your own pace.

Quick Facts

• Number of stops: 17

• What to do: At each stop/sign, scan the QR code

• Starting point: Any stop

• What you need: Mobile phone and QR code scanner

• Duration: Around 1 hour

• Walking distance: Approx. 1.5 km

• Season: All year round

• Price: FREE