Consecrated in 1915 Sankt Augustins Kirke stands before you. This Roman Catholic church wasn’t always a place of worship for the Jesuits. Initially it served the Monastery of the Perpetual Adoration Nuns. These Augustinian nuns from Innsbruck Austria founded the convent. The entire complex church and convent was designed by Emil Jorgensen. He also designed other notable Copenhagen structures. The church’s beautiful National Romantic style is a testament to Jorgensen’s skill.
The nuns resided here until 1942. They then sought a quieter location in Asebakken Hoesterkob. Before their move they had transitioned to the Order of Saint Benedict. Their former convent didn’t stay empty for long. In 1954 Niels Steensens Gymnasium a Catholic upper secondary school took over. The school continues to thrive within these historic walls. The building also houses a hall of residence for students.
Interestingly Sankt Augustins Kirke was never a parish church. It falls under the parish of Sankt Ansgar. Its status changed from a monastic church to a collegiate church or school church when the Jesuits took over. Imagine the centuries of prayers whispered within these walls. The transition from nuns to students represents a fascinating shift in the building’s purpose. Yet the spiritual heart of Sankt Augustins Kirke remains strong.
So here you stand before a building with a rich history. A place of faith education and community. The story of Sankt Augustins Kirke is one of transformation and enduring spirit. A story reflected in its architecture its history and its ongoing purpose within Copenhagen.