Grundtvig's Church
Grundtvig's Church | |
---|---|
Grundtvig's Memorial Church | |
Location | Copenhagen, Denmark |
Denomination | Church of Denmark |
Website | www |
Architecture | |
Architect(s) | Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint |
Architectural type | Expressionism |
Completed | 1927 (inaugurated) 1940 (completed) |
Specifications | |
Capacity | 1440 seats |
Length | 76 metres (249 feet) |
Width | 35 metres (115 feet) |
Height | 49 metres (161 feet) |
Administration | |
District | Bispebjerg |
Grundtvig's Church (Danish: Grundtvigs Kirke) is located in the Bispebjerg district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is a rare example of expressionist church architecture. Due to its originality, it is one of the best known churches in the city.
History
The commission for the construction of a church to be named after the Danish philosopher, pastor and hymn writer N. F. S. Grundtvig was decided through a competition, won by Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint in 1913.[1] The foundation of the new church was only laid after World War I, on 8 September 1921, Grundtvig's birthday. Building took place mainly from 1921 to 1926 when the tower section was completed, leading to the initial inauguration of the so-called Tower Church in 1927. Further work on the interior and on adjacent buildings continued until 1940 and was completed by Klint's son Kaare Klint after his father's death in 1930.[1] The church stands at the centre of a residential development (1924–36), also in yellow brick, designed by Jensen-Klint in harmony with the church.[2]
Architecture
Jensen-Klint's design for Grundtvig's Church is a synthesis of architectural styles. In preparation for the project, the architect studied many Danish village churches, particularly those on the island of
The most striking feature of the building is its west façade, reminiscent of a
Klint decorated the nave with a version of the
Interior
The interior, inspired by Gothic architecture and comparable in size to
The two organs
The church has two organs. The one on the north side of the nave near the chancel was built in 1940 by
Integration and flanking buildings
The scheme also included the construction of a number of buildings collectively known as On the Hill (da. På Bjerget) on each side of the church, placing it in a symmetrical context to enhance its visual impact. Designed by Jensen-Klint in collaboration with Vilhelm Wittrup, Charles I. Schou and Georg Gøssel, the buildings contain the parish hall and apartments and were built from 1924 to 1926.
A long tree-lined road leads through
Grundtvig's church today
The church is open to visitors all year, not just at the times of services. The great Marcussen organ is regularly used for concerts.
The church is equipped with a wheelchair stair lift for the disabled people.[6]
Gallery
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Façade
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Nave, looking towards choir
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Foundation stone
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Chandelier
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West façade
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Vaulting detail
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Altar
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Nave, north side
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Vaulting in the southern section of the nave
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Interior
See also
- Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík, begun a few years after Grundtvig's Church, is a comparable synthesis of Gothic and modern stylistic elements.
References
- ^ a b "Om kirken". Grundtvigs Kirke. Archived from the original on 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ "Grundtvigs Kirke", Astoft, UK, retrieved 27 May 2010.
- ^ a b Tyznik, Michael, Grundtvigs Kirke (analysis), archived from the original on 17 July 2011, retrieved 27 May 2010.
- ^ "Grundtvigs Kirke", Orgel i Danmark (in Danish), DK: Natmus, retrieved 26 May 2010[permanent dead link].
- ^ Pedersen, Thomas Viggo (16 April 2007), Grundtvig's Church, Copenhagen (leaflet).
- ^ "Photographs of Grundtvig's Church, December 2016". Independent Travellers. independent-travellers.com. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
20+C+M+B+20
Bibliography
- Harkær, Gorm (2010), Kaare Klint, Klintiana.
External links
55°42′59.7″N 12°32′01″E / 55.716583°N 12.53361°E