Did you know Lyngby Kirke boasts a history stretching back to the 12th century? Lyngby Kirke stands proudly on a hill overlooking Lyngby Hovedgade. This ancient church is the oldest in Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality. Its Romanesque style is immediately apparent in its oldest sections. These are constructed of rough-hewn granite. Limestone accents the corners. Small Romanesque windows high in the walls are still visible on the interior.
Lyngby Kirke wasn’t always as we see it today. The church underwent several significant expansions and renovations. In the Late Gothic era its length grew at both ends. A Gothic tower was added to the north side. Later it was heightened in the same architectural style. A north chapel was built during the Late Gothic period. Another chapel was added on the south side around 1765.
Royal connections add a fascinating layer to Lyngby Kirke’s story. The area was once crown land. The parish was known as Koningx Lyngby in 1463. After Frederick the Hereditary Prince of Denmark purchased Sorgenfri Palace in 1789. Members of the royal family used Lyngby Kirke. Count Christian of Rosenborg and his wife Anne Dorte attended services here. Princess Elisabeth also worshipped at Lyngby Kirke until their deaths. Their funerals were held at the church. They are buried in the Lyngby cemetery.
Lyngby Kirke’s ownership is also noteworthy. Carl Frederik Tietgen owned the church from 1868. He gifted it to Lyngby-Taarbæk shortly before his death in 1901. The church became a self-owning institution in 1903.
The church’s cemetery is a historical treasure in its own right. It features concentric terraces. A new cemetery was established nearby in 1851. Later the Sorgenfri Churchyard and Lyngby Park Churchyard were also established. Notable figures including members of the Danish Royal family. But also many prominent Danes from various fields such as politics and the arts are buried here.
Lyngby Kirke’s history is rich. It’s a place where history and faith intertwine. The church stands as a silent witness to centuries of Danish life. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of the community. Lyngby Kirke is a place you should remember for a lifetime.