Husumvold Kirke

What secrets does a church built on a former fortress wall hold? Right here, before us stands Husumvold Kirke, a testament to resilience and community spirit. Husumvold Kirke isn’t your typical ancient church steeped in centuries of history. Its story begins in the mid-20th century. In 1948, the population of Husum Sogn had exploded, reaching 22,000. A commission was formed to address the need for a new parish. That same year, a temporary church was established in one of three former refugee barracks on the fortress wall along Frederikssundsvej. This makeshift sanctuary became known as “Kirken på Husum Vold,” the Church on Husum Wall. This was the precursor to the Husumvold Kirke we see today. Three years later, Husumvold Sogn officially separated from Husum Sogn. It took another nine years for the current Husumvold Kirke to be built. On March 20, 1960, the new church was consecrated. It found its home on Gadelandet, a picturesque location sloping down towards Åkandevej and Utterslev Mose. Designed by architect Holger Jensen, Husumvold Kirke echoes the style of old Nordic stave churches. The church complex also housed essential community spaces. A parish office, confirmation classroom, priest’s office, meeting room, and kitchen were arranged around a charming atrium courtyard. Over the next two decades, Husumvold Sogn continued to grow. The development of Tingbjerg and Bystævneparken pushed the population to around 17,000. This growth led to the creation of Tingbjerg Sogn as an independent parish with its own church in 1983. Today, Husumvold Sogn has about 8,000 residents, maintaining close ties with its neighboring parishes. Inside Husumvold Kirke, yellow brick walls, soft lighting from the atrium, and the spacious entrance create a welcoming atmosphere. The church’s interior is striking. High, open beams, reminiscent of a stave church, support the soaring saddle roof. A massive triangular window dominates the gable wall behind the altar, offering a breathtaking view of the church lawn sloping down towards Utterslev Mose. This “living altarpiece” connects the church to the everyday world. The sky, the changing seasons, the birds of the marsh, and the traffic on Åkandevej all become part of the backdrop to worship. The altar, crafted from hand-struck yellow bricks, is a focal point. Above it hangs Maria Sparre Petersen’s “Regnen” (The Rain), a shimmering installation of beaded strings created with the congregation for the church’s 50th anniversary. Blue-cushioned kneeler benches add a splash of color, contrasting with the cool blue hues of the pillars. To the right, a vibrant mosaic by Palle Bruun depicts the church year and its festivals. The cylindrical font, also made of yellow brick, sits on a raised platform. Its pewter basin, designed by Holger Jensen, features delicate flower motifs. Simple chairs, arranged in groups of four, provide seating for approximately 220 people. A model ship, “Håbet” (The Hope) of Marstal, hangs in the nave, a gift from 1948 for the original barrack church. As you leave, look up at the dark wood organ loft above the entrance. The organ, built by Jensen and Thomsen, underwent a major renovation in 2011. Husumvold Kirke’s journey from a refugee barrack to a vibrant community hub is truly remarkable.