Minder fra Valdres O.L. Kirkeberg 1919 Translated by Edna Rude The St Thomas Church When leaving Vang in Valdres one can go up over Filefjeld (mountain), coming down past Nystuen and then past Smedalen (a high valley earlier called Smiudalen: (Blacksmith Valley). It is believed there was iron digging up there in ancient times, giving the area its name. This mountain valley was inhabited before the Black death (1349-50), and there was even a church (stav church) built there, quite small, with a cemetery surrounding it. In more recent times the area was not populated but was used for summer pasturing (seters). In olden times there was a heavy forest up there and even as recently as 100 years a huge pine stumps were found in the bogs. Now there are only stunted birch there. As the population had all died in the plague, it took a long time (about 200 years) while none even knew about the church so it is understandable why it fell into disuse. Legends says that hunters once roamed the area and used the old structure for a place to butcher and hang reindeer they shot. Finally , the authorities decided there should be a mass once a year in the St Thomas church on July 2, (annunciation day). Thus became a great crowd of people not only from the neighboring seters but even from communities in Valdres, Hallingdal, Sogn and even from Akerhus (near Oslo) and Bergenhus ( a district on he west side of the country). Since ancient times the church in the church this was considered a "promise Church" "which meant it was rated "above" other churches. Here people were more certain their prayers would be heard by God, and kneeling at this alter for communion was particularly meaningful. Many sick and lame and suffering people came with offerings, in hope of being healed, or for protection against misfortune and danger, and also that St. Thomas would pray to God for them. Many came to pray and make promises to god or to pay up the promises they had made earlier. These Catholic customs prevailed for a long time. Others came for different reasons such as horse trading, horse racing and wild drinking bouts. Most of them came the day before Mass so they could celebrate and/or find lodging wherever possible. Everyone left the day following Mass. Not only did this mass bring serious religious service, but there was much superstition, drunkenness, fighting and even worse. Bishop Erik Pontoppidan in 1749 made a trip over Filefjeld, and used the opportunity to see St. Thomas church. In his writings he told: "according to ancient tradition there is only one Mass per year, and that on the day of Mary's annunciation because the text for the day says that Mary went hurrying up the mountain:. Smedalen lay in Vang parish so it was the priest from Vang who officiated the mass annually, with good salary. The Bishop was told, at that time by Priest/Pastor Castberg in Vang, how difficult it was to see much evil where many tramps, drunkards and others came specifically to practice their ungodly deeds, yet the authorities did nothing to correct the situation. In 1807 Bishop Bech visited Vang. He was given the full story on the "Thomas Mass", even though it had been somewhat correct. He wanted to do something at once to improve on the situation. sadly, what he did was to send a message to the government immediately to have this "temp;e of superstition" torn down and never to be rebuilt in smedalen or anywhere else. In 1809 the old and honorable structure was was destroyed. Now there is but a trace left. A couple of beams from the church can be seen in a wall on a barn on the Skogstad farm in Vang. The church had several bells, large and small. (This story is perhaps taken from a more true history of another place). However, we now for certain that one of the bells was taken to Øie church in Vang. Ballads have been sung telling the sad story of the bells, In our day (ca 1919) people sorely regret that the church was destroyed. It could have been spared. And the annual worship of god could have been continued without the superstition and sorry behavior.