A humble beginning this church had. Sankt Therese Kirke stands before you. It wasn’t always the majestic structure we see today. Its story begins not with grand plans but with a small group of Assumption Sisters. They arrived in Denmark in 1908. They initially settled in Frederiksberg. Later they moved to Ordrup. In 1930 they acquired the Rygaard property in Hellerup. A simple chapel was set up. Daily mass was held starting August 13 1930. Plans for a larger church were put on hold.
The dream of a proper church was revived in 1933. The Sisters celebrated their 25th anniversary in Denmark. They decided to build a church dedicated to Therese of Lisieux. It would be the first such church in Scandinavia. Alf Cock-Clausen the architect designed the building. Construction started January 3 1935. Bishop Josef Brems laid the foundation stone on March 9. The church was dedicated December 14 1935. This is Sankt Therese Kirke’s official birthday.
Sankt Therese Kirke wasn’t just a church. It quickly became a parish. St Therese’s Parish was established January 1 1942. It began as part of St Andrew’s Parish. A residence for the pastor was built in 1954. The congregation grew. It started with around 350 members. The church is 35 meters long 12 meters wide and 10 meters tall. Above the entrance is a beautiful relief. It depicts St Therese with a cross. Aage Nielsen-Edwin sculpted it in 1936.
The church’s furnishings tell a story. The baptismal font came from Hornbæk Church. It was a gift from Bishop Thorvald Suhr. The sculptor Axel Theilmann restored it. The pews were borrowed initially. They came from the decommissioned Rosenkranskirke in Vesterbro. The altar we see today dates back to the early 1970s. The organ has a history too. The current one came from Högseröd Church in Sweden. It was installed in 1979. A statue of St Therese a gift from 1952 stands proudly. Ejgil Vedel Smith carved it from walnut.
The Assumption Sisters left Rygaard in 1988. Sankt Therese Kirke then shared priests with St Andrew’s Parish. In 2008 the parishes formally merged again. Today Sankt Therese Kirke stands as a testament to faith persistence and community. It continues to serve its congregation. It’s a place of worship and a symbol of a rich history. It’s more than just a building. It’s a living part of Hellerup’s story. It’s a vital part of the vibrant Catholic community in Copenhagen.