Kristkirken

Gazing at Kristkirken, its unusual north-facing altar beckons us closer. Kristkirken defies the traditional east-west alignment of Danish churches. Its entrance, nestled within a rounded archway, faces south. The architect, Otto Valdemar Koch, drew inspiration from the Romanesque period of Italy when designing Kristkirken in 1898. This influence is visible in the rounded arches, the decorative brick niches, and the charming copper-roofed veranda at the entrance. The church’s greenish glazed bricks, arranged in bands across the plastered walls, echo the striped Tuscan churches of the same era. They create a visual link to historical structures like the Pisa Cathedral. The southern facade of Kristkirken features two rows of decorative niches, or blendings. These mirror the roofline, adding to the church’s unique charm. The five windows below, also following the roofline, widen as they approach the center. Flanking the central window are columns topped with Mesopotamian-inspired figures, a surprising detail that adds a touch of the exotic. The veranda, possibly influenced by Roman porticoes or Brunelleschi’s Spedale degli Innocenti, provides a sheltered welcome. Kristkirken’s 54-meter tower, reminiscent of medieval North Italian churches, punctuates the Copenhagen skyline. Nicknamed the “Priests’ Church”, Kristkirken was partly financed by contributions from Danish priests. The idea for this fundraising, which yielded 142,000 kroner, came from a priest named Th. Løgstrup. Initially called “The Church in Dybbølsgade” due to its location at the end of the street, Kristkirken eventually received its current name. Inside, the altarpiece by Axel Helsted commands attention. The medieval baptismal font, originally from Virring Church in Jutland, holds a curious past. It is said to have served as a drinking trough for cattle before finding its place within Kristkirken. By 1900, Kristkirken had its own parish, carved out from St. Matthew’s Parish. Just fifteen years later, the parish boasted a population of 15,000, highlighting the rapid growth of the surrounding area. Today, Kristkirken continues to serve as a vital community hub on Enghave Plads.