Heads carved in stone observe us here at u00d8dum Kirke. This large church stands in u00d8dum Sogn. It lies a little over three miles east of Hadsten. Let’s step inside this beautiful building.
u00d8dum Kirke dates back to the 1100s. The original structure features a nave and chancel. These were constructed from small carefully shaped stones called fr\u00e5dsten. Look closely at the granite base. You will see a beveled edge. Notice too the corner of the chancel. It’s decorated with carved heads. The eaves display a rounded arch frieze. See if you can spot the original window openings. The old doors for men and women can still be traced. A door remains on the chancel’s south side. The original chancel arch still stands.
Later in the Middle Ages, the church was extended. Four vaults were built in the nave. Two were added in the chancel. The tower was constructed in the late Middle Ages. Red monk bricks formed the tower. In 1734, the upper part of the tower collapsed. The tower was rebuilt. However it was made somewhat shorter. Originally the entrances were through the tower. Those entrances have been bricked up. Today we enter through the west side of the tower. The tower and nave had roofs of wing tiles. In 1972, the entire church got a lead roof during restoration.
In 1972, a 16th-century fresco was uncovered. It depicts Saint George and the dragon. This is in the tower’s porch. The simple Romanesque baptismal font is original. It now stands in the chancel near the chancel arch. The altarpiece dates to 1593. It was restored in 1896. It reflects the post-Reformation era. Martin Luther wanted a plain church space. The altarpiece shows Christ crucified. The other four fields display Bible quotes. The altar table is bricked with monk stones. It features a Renaissance panel with arcade fields on three sides.
The pulpit dates from 1634. It’s carved in Renaissance style. It bears the initials of priest Niels Fogh. His and his family’s epitaph is on the north wall. It is in baroque style.
u00d8dum Kirke acquired its first organ in 1920. This was replaced in 1987. The church is part of Hadsten Storpastorat. It includes several other churches. These are Sankt Pauls, Over Hadsten, N\u00f8rre Galten plus more. u00d8dum Kirke stands as a testament to faith. It has served this community for centuries. Its stones whisper tales of generations past. Its art reflects changing beliefs. As you leave, remember the faces in the stone. Remember the echoes of hymns. Carry with you the story of u00d8dum Kirke.