Once, this building echoed not with hymns but with medical procedures. Today we stand before Frederiksberg Hospitalskirke. It is a place that embodies transformation and peace.
Frederiksberg Hospitalskirke began its life in 1894. It was part of Copenhagen County Hospital on Nyelandsvej. Initially, the building served two purposes. It functioned as both a chapel and a dissecting room.
In 1939, Frederiksberg Hospital formally took over the building. During World War II, occupying forces used it as a storage depot. After the war, it returned to its role as a chapel. A side building housed a patient library and pharmacy storage for a time.
The hospital decided to modernize after the war. Planners felt the hospital needed a proper church. Before 1951, religious services occurred in a chapel on the second floor above the medical department. Karen Westergaard was the architect for the conversion. Construction began in the summer of 1951. The Frederiksberg Church Foundation supported the project financially.
Hospital staff actively helped raise funds. A group of nurses formed a church committee. Together they embroidered a blue cross-stitch altar cloth. They also collected money for new furnishings. These included Kirkestolen chairs designed by Kaare Klint. The Frederiksberg Hospitalskirke incorporated both old and new elements. The altar, altar silver, a Jesus figure, baptismal font and pulpit came from the old chapel.
The Frederiksberg Hospitalskirke was dedicated on Sunday December 16, 1951. It seated 48 people. In 1993, Sven Havsteen-Mikkelsen created an altarpiece for the church.
Frederiksberg Hospitalskirke is located in a green oasis on the hospital grounds. Its architecture and intimate interior create a sense of peace. It became known as a heart room. Its location fostered a natural sense of tranquility. The Frederiksberg Hospitalskirke became well-suited for social ethical work. It hosted vulnerable people and promoted cross-cultural projects.
Godthaab Church held various events at Frederiksberg Hospitalskirke. These included Easter walks, outdoor services and jazz concerts.
In 2020, the Frederiksberg Hospitalskirke closed. Only psychiatric patients remained at the hospital. The last service took place on June 2, 2020.
The building has a SAVE value of 3. This indicates its cultural and historical significance. The Frederiksberg Hospitalskirke stands as a testament to the evolving needs of the community. It also represents the enduring human need for solace and reflection.