“The Rosary Church a haven of faith on Bornholm” whispers the wind. It’s a story etched in stone and whispered in prayer. This isn’t just a building it’s the heart of Catholicism on this island.
Rosenkranskirken stands before you. Its history stretches back to a time when Catholicism faced challenges in Denmark. The Reformation made it illegal to be Catholic. Only with the 1849 constitution could Danes openly practice Catholicism again. Most Catholics were immigrants. Italian stone workers from Bornholm’s quarries formed the first significant Catholic group. But there weren’t enough to support a permanent priest.
Then came the early 1900s. The number of Catholics grew. Polish workers arrived to help with agriculture the railroad and the brick industry. By 1911 there were 149 Polish workers on the island. Catholic priests started visiting more regularly. They performed weddings baptisms and funerals. They also celebrated Mass.
Priests arrived by steamer from Copenhagen. Each carried a special mission suitcase. It contained everything for Mass. The sturdy oak suitcase with brass edges was also designed to open into an altar. Even if the people in Rønne had never seen the priest before they recognized him by his unique suitcase.
In 1915 Dutch Dominican friars established a community in Rønne. Father I P Nielen established a chapel. In 1916 Bishop von Euch created the Sacred Heart parish. Father Theodoor Josef Zoetmulder joined focusing on the Polish workers. He quickly learned Polish and Danish. Since most Polish workers lived in the east of the island travelling to Rønne was difficult. In 1917 a chapel was built in rented premises in Aakirkeby. A larger chapel followed in 1918. It was called the Rosary Chapel.
The first Catholic church since the Reformation opened in Rønne in 1924. It was Hyacinthus Church named after a 13th-century Polish Dominican. It was a smaller version of a pre-Reformation Dominican church in Aarhus.
In 1925 the Aakirkeby presbytery was finished. In 1932 Rosenkranskirken was consecrated. Father Zoetmulder had collected donations. He even contributed from his family in Holland. He also designed the church. Because Rosenkranskirken was larger than Hyacinthus Church it became the parish church for all of Bornholm.
The Dominican coat of arms is on both Hyacinthus Church and Rosenkranskirken. Today Rosenkranskirken stands as a testament to faith perseverance and the enduring spirit of a community. It’s more than just a church. It’s a living story a beautiful building a place of quiet reflection and a beacon of hope on the island of Bornholm.