Have you ever felt the weight of history beneath your feet? Here at Hvidovre Kirke you are standing on hallowed ground. This church a testament to time itself whispers tales of centuries past.
Hvidovre Kirke one of the oldest churches in Greater Copenhagen is a true gem. It stands as the oldest structure in Hvidovre Municipality. Its history stretches back to approximately 1150. The church was originally built in the Romanesque style.
The oldest section the eastern part of the nave has weathered the storms of time. Around 1155 the chancel was demolished. This made way for expansion at both ends. Sadly during the Swedish Wars of 1658-1659 parts of the church were destroyed. Swedish troops used the stones to build military structures. However the church was rebuilt in 1660.
In 1675 a side nave was added. This created architectural symmetry. This addition became known as the Valby Nave. It was reserved for farmers from Valby. They were no longer allowed to attend the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen. They preferred not to mix with people from Hvidovre.
The original timber-framed porch was replaced in 1763. The tower’s gable and west wall boast two sandstone crowns. These were originally part of Copenhagen’s Western City Gate. The gate was demolished in 1857. The crowns found a new home on Hvidovre Kirke in 1886. The church once had a steeple with three clocks. It was removed around 1790. Its weather vane remains. It features Frederick IV’s monogram.
A priest’s room was added to the west side of the Valby Nave in 1952. The church’s small cemetery holds stories of its own. The oldest grave dates back to around 1750. A charming private chapel built of red brick stands at the northern cemetery wall. It was built for a local Hvidovre farmer and his wife. The cemetery is also the final resting place for several notable figures. These include the author Thøger Birkeland the poet Bertel Budtz-Müller and the swimmer Karen Margrethe Harup among others.
Hvidovre Kirke has even appeared in film. It served as a location in the Bodil Award-winning 1955 film Der kom en dag. As you stand here today you are touching a piece of living history. The walls of Hvidovre Kirke have witnessed centuries of life joy sorrow and faith. Take a moment to absorb the atmosphere to feel the connection to the past. This is more than just a building it’s a living testament to the enduring spirit of Hvidovre.