Imagine looking out over the fields from here. Egens Kirke stands proudly. It sits atop a hill. For centuries, it has watched over the landscape. Egens Kirke is not just a building. It is a landmark. Sailors on Kalø Vig and Aarhus Bay used its tower. They used it as a guide.
Egens Kirke is small. It is one of Denmark’s smallest churches. Its history goes back to the Middle Ages. Some believe a sacred site stood here even before Christianity. Perhaps sun priests offered sacrifices here.
Inside Egens Kirke, a Romanesque granite font tells tales. It has two heads in high relief. One head is flanked by lions. The other head is shared by two lion bodies. The baptismal font came from Southern Germany. It dates back to around 1575.
The church itself blends Romanesque and late medieval styles. The walls are made of fieldstones and later brick. The small size of Egens parish has always been a mystery. In the early 1800s, only about 150 people lived here. Yet, the church could hold almost half the parish.
Step inside the church. Notice the old church bell. It cracked in 2000. A new bell was cast in France. It was inaugurated in 2002. The inscription reads: Egens Kirke 2002 Pierre Paccard.
The altarpiece features paintings from 1928. They were painted by I.Th. Skovgaard. He was the son of the famous painter Joachim Skovgaard.
The pulpit is also special. It is believed to have come from Feldballe church. In 1607, the owner of Møllerup estate commissioned a new pulpit. The old one was then moved to Egens Kirke. One painting shows Saint Christopher. He is the patron saint of seafarers. This is fitting for a church that served as a landmark.
A stone slab on the west wall tells a story. It tells a story from the 1600s. The owner of Møllerup estate wanted Egens residents to use Bregnet church. The road to Bregnet was dangerous. Robbers lurked in the Kalø forests. Søren Sørensen’s daughter was attacked on her way to her wedding. Søren restored Egens Kirke. He ensured its reopening. As thanks, he and his wife were buried in the church floor.
Until 1978, Egens Kirke had no organ. It was the only church in Denmark without one. A small organ with three stops was installed.
Local stories explain the church’s origin. One tale says a farmer built it. He was tired of the long journey to Bregnet church. People had to pass through Ringelmose forest. Robbers hid there. Two girls from “Munkens Sted” farm were attacked. They escaped. Their father built Egens Kirke.
Another story says the church’s location was chosen by chance. The farmer released a page from his hymn book. He let the wind decide. This explains why the church is outside the village.
Egens cemetery has terraces. It offers stunning views of the water. You can also see Kalø Castle ruin. As you leave Egens Kirke, remember its history. Think of the sailors, farmers, and families. They all found solace in this small church on the hill.